Agreement on Government Procurement

- 7 - 7
AGREEMENT ON GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT
Parties to this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as "Parties"),
Recognizing the need for an effective multilateral framework of rights and obligations with
respect to laws, regulations, procedures and practices regarding government procurement with a view to
achieving greater liberalization and expansion of world trade and improving the international framework
for the conduct of world trade;
Recognizing that laws, regulations, procedures and practices regarding government procurement
should not be prepared, adopted or applied to foreign or domestic products and services and to foreign
or domestic suppliers so as to afford protection to domestic products or services or domestic suppliers
and should not discriminate among foreign products or services or among foreign suppliers;
Recognizing that it is desirable to provide transparency of laws, regulations, procedures and
practices regarding government procurement;
Recognizing the need to establish international procedures on notification, consultation,
surveillance and dispute settlement with a view to ensuring a fair, prompt and effective enforcement of
the international provisions on government procurement and to maintain the balance of rights and
obligations at the highest possible level;
Recognizing the need to take into account the development, financial and trade needs of
developing countries, in particular the least-developed countries;
Desiring, in accordance with paragraph 6(b) of Article IX of the Agreement on Government
Procurement done on 12 April 1979, as amended on 2 February 1987, to broaden and improve the
Agreement on the basis of mutual reciprocity and to expand the coverage of the Agreement to include
service contracts;
Desiring to encourage acceptance of and accession to this Agreement by governments not party
to it;
Having undertaken further negotiations in pursuance of these objectives;
Hereby agree as follows:- 8 - 8... [continues]

Read full essay