CLDP held consultations on public procurement in Tunis from May 9-13, in cooperation with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and Tunisia's High Authority for Public Procurement (HAICOP). The customized consultations focused on the implementation of Tunisia’s Suspension and Debarment Decree, which was passed recently following several years of development and CLDP drafting assistance. Two GSA suspension and debarment officials served as expert-advisors to consult, advise, and provide best practices from the U.S. system and led practical case studies to simulate effective practical application of the decree. Thirty auditors and officials from HAICOP and Tunisia’s new interagency Commission on Exclusion in Public Procurement attended the training.  

These consultations are part of CLDP's multi-year technical assistance to HAICOP in the development and implementation of a transparent and effective public procurement system in Tunisia that promotes the participation of SMEs. The program is funded through the US Department of State's Middle East Investment Initiative.