By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Acting Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Vusi Dlamini, represented by the Director of Supply Chain Management, Nkululeko Dlamini, emphasized the significance of the Market Price Reference Catalogue (MPRC) for Common Use Goods during a breakfast meeting held on Wednesday as Sibanesami Hotel.
Organized by the Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (ESPPRA), the event was set to sensitize procuring entities about the benefits and utilization of the MPRC.
“This breakfast meeting is on sensitization of Procuring Entities on the new ways of conducting procurement of Common Use Items / Goods, where we as Procuring Entities make a price offer to suppliers of these items,” stated the Acting Principal Secretary.
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He extended gratitude to ESPPRA for initiating the MPRC and acknowledged ESEPARC’s efforts in conducting the survey and compiling the Catalogue, which consists of over 17,000 Common Use Goods / Items.
“This will enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability in our procurement processes,” he added.
In January this year, the Ministry of Finance celebrated a significant milestone with the launch of the Market Price Reference Catalogue by the Minister for Finance Neal Rijkenberg.
This comprehensive document is a result to the government’s dedication to establishing fair and consistent pricing across all procurement activities. Its creation involved extensive research, consultation, and collaboration, ensuring it reflects accurate market prices for various Common Use Goods.
Following the launch, it was shared that the Ministry engaged with suppliers of Common Use Goods to ensure they understood the importance and benefits of the MPRC.
This engagement was essential to foster fair competition, reduce the potential for overpricing, and ultimately ensure better value for public funds.
The feedback from suppliers was invaluable, highlighting their willingness to support this initiative.
The next crucial step in this process, as discussed during today’s meeting, involves engaging with the Procuring Entities.
“Your participation in this initiative is paramount, as you are the ones who will be using the Market Price Reference Catalogue as a reference point in your daily procurement activities,” the Acting Principal Secretary noted.
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The Catalogue is designed to be a tool that aids in making informed purchasing decisions, promoting fairness and transparency.
The objective of the meeting was to ensure that Procuring Entities fully understand the utility of the Market Price Reference Catalogue and how it can be integrated into their procurement processes.
The Ministry aims to provide the necessary knowledge and tools to utilize this resource effectively.
By doing so, the government hopes to minimize procurement discrepancies, prevent overpricing, and enhance the overall integrity of the procurement system.
Chief Executive Officer of ESPPRA, Vusumutiwendvodza Matsebula, also addressed the event, acknowledging the crucial role of public procurement practitioners in implementing the MPRC.
He expressed confidence that, with their cooperation, procuring entities would seamlessly adopt and utilize the Catalogue, ensuring its success in achieving its intended goals.
As the Ministry of Finance and ESPPRA move forward with this initiative, Dlamini emphasized the importance of maintaining an open line of communication and continuing close collaboration.
Feedback, experiences, and suggestions from Procuring Entities are vital to the ongoing refinement and success of the Market Price Reference Catalogue.
Furthermore, the Acting Principal Secretary expressed sincere gratitude to all participants for their dedication and commitment to this cause.
“Let us continue to work together towards a more transparent, efficient, and accountable procurement system that serves the best interests of our nation,” he stated
