CLDP, in partnership with the Competition and State Procurement Agency of Georgia (CSPA), held a Workshop on International Best Practices in Public Procurement in Tbilisi, Georgia. The program featured procurement experts from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Competition and State Procurement Agency of Georgia, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), to discuss a wide range of topics, including: (1) how the WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) functions and the commercial benefits it can provide for Georgian suppliers; (2) an overview of the procurement system in Georgia; (3) an overview of the U.S. government procurement system, and that of U.S. state-owned enterprises such as the TVA; and (4) how the U.S. Government operates in the context of the GPA. The US Advisors for the program included Jennifer Swartz, Procurement Policy Analyst, Office of Federal Procurement Policy, U.S. Office of Management and Budget, Adam Boltik, International Trade Specialist, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce and Duane Olcsvary, Director of Strategic Contacts & Supplier Management, U.S. Tennessee Valley Authority.

In attendance were representatives from various ministries and government organizations, business associations, and suppliers. The program featured case studies and addressed a myriad of topics and questions of interest to Georgia as it continues to refine its system to comply with international norms and standards. The program provided a forum for an exchange of best practices in public procurement, discussed new challenges in public procurement, and provided Georgia with information on how to move forward with accession to the GPA.