Kathmandu: In the realm of public financial management reforms, the forefront agenda is the enhancement of public procurement processes. Recognized for its potential to not only bolster capital expenditure but also accelerate development initiatives, effective public procurement stands as a pivotal facet of financial management.

Dr. Damodar Regmi, Secretary of the Public Procurement Monitoring Office, highlighted the concerted efforts being directed toward elevating public procurement to a central position within the sphere of financial management. He emphasized the intricate and technical nature of public procurement, involving numerous stakeholders, which necessitates an ongoing process of consultation and collaboration.

To facilitate a clearer comprehension among all public entities and ensure the efficient enactment of procurement laws, the creation of a simplified guideline is imperative. Dr. Regmi underscored the significance of crafting a user-friendly procurement guideline to bolster procurement capabilities at the local level.

Further emphasis was placed on the imperative elements of competition, fairness, integrity, accountability, and credibility in the execution of public procurement-related procedures, processes, and decisions. Dr. Regmi elucidated that, in the current fiscal year, the procurement office is poised to launch a training program aimed at enhancing the procurement efficacy of public agencies, thereby rendering their procurement units more proficient. These training initiatives are set to be conducted at both provincial and local levels, fostering an augmented procurement capacity.

Additionally, the concept of a "procurement clinic" will be piloted by the procurement monitoring office, delivering intensive training to all local governments. This concerted approach underscores the commitment to transparency, objectivity, and credibility in public procurement processes.