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Catarina SEGERSTEN LARSSON
The Committee of the Regions is drafting an opinion based on the Commission proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on "Procurement by entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors" COM (2011) 895 final and on "Public procurement" COM (2011) 896 final.
The high rate of expenditure done by public purchasers (around 18% of GDP) for supplies, works and services shows us that public procurement play a major role in the European growth. Indeed seen as an efficient tool to foster the market by the Europe 2020 strategy, public procurement can be a lever to achieve the objectives of a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
Since 1971 the European Union is trying to guarantee transparency and non discriminatory procedures to ensure that economic operators benefit from the basis freedoms in competition for public contracts within the single market. Whereas those first objectives have been successfully reached now the Commission wants with its proposal to simplify the rules, increase their efficiency and effectiveness and adapted them to the evolving economic, social and political context.
The aim is to improve environment and conditions for business by increasing flexibility for contracting authorities and by allowing the participation of SME's and cross-borders actors. Moreover environmental and social aspects should be more taking into account by stressing innovation and enhancing electronic procurement.
Following those guidelines this proposal has two complementary objectives:
- Increase the efficiency of spending to ensure the best possible procurement outcomes in termes of value for money.
- Allows procurers to make better use of procurement in support of common societal goals
The Rapporteur on the Opinion, Ms. Catarina SEGERSTEN LARSSON (SE/EPP), Member of the ECOS Commission of the CoR and Member of the Assembly of Värmland County Council in Sweden, together with her expert Ms. Eva SVEMAN, would be happy to meet with representatives of local and regional associations, NGOs and other stakeholders for a consultation and an exchange of views on this opinion.
The consultation will take place on:
Monday 21 May, 14.30 – 16.30
At the premises of the Committee of the Regions
(Rue Belliard 99-101, B-1040 Brussels)
Room JDE 70
The Rapporteur would be very keen to hear your views during the meeting. After a short introduction by the rapporteur stakeholders will be invited to react.
In addition, if you have any position papers relevant to the subject, you are welcome to send them to us by email to the addresses below.
The meeting will be held in English with simultaneous interpretation allowing you to speak in English, Swedish and French, while listening in English and Swedish. Please note that the mother tongue of the rapporteur is Swedish.
For more information, please contact our team:
Please note that the CoR will not provide paper copies of the documents for the meeting, in an effort to reduce paper waste.