Publication: Public Procurement Reform in Iraq : A Long and Difficult Road
Date
2013-12
ISSN
Published
2013-12
Author(s)
Ali, Nazaneen Ismail
Jacobs, Andrew
Lipson, Rachel
Isoldi, Fabio
Abstract
Over the course of a six-year period
from 2006-2011, the Government of Iraq (GOI), with support
from the World Bank, undertook an ambitious effort to reform
its public procurement system and legal framework. Among
other actions, an Inter-Ministerial Task Force (IMTF) was
created, consultations were held with civil society and the
private sector, and a comprehensive new law was drafted
based on international best practices. In some ways, the
challenges to reforming Iraq's public procurement
system mirror the usual obstacles in implementing public
sector reforms. However, given the country context, this
case also presents unique and important lessons that helped
inform future-decision making on public procurement reform
in other conflict states. Finally, the Iraqi experience
showed the importance of adapting gradual fixes in tackling
institution building. While maintaining a long-term vision
is important, it becomes critical in a post-conflict
environment to demonstrate early results. Public procurement
in Iraq is a major component of the national economy,
cutting across nearly every area of planning, program
management, and budgeting. In 2013, Iraq's approved
budget was valued at US$118.3 billion, in addition to an
expected US$10 billion in supplementary budget items. The
lack of a clear legal framework for public procurement also
discouraged foreign investment, since foreign investors were
uninterested in coming to invest in Iraq if they had no type
of legal assurance that bidding would be competitive, and
that their bids would be treated equally and fairly.
Procurement reform also becomes particularly challenging
since public procurement reform means tackling corruption.
Thus, it is no surprise that procurement reform in Iraq
require patience, deliberativeness, and tolerance.
Citation
“Ali, Nazaneen Ismail; Jacobs, Andrew; Lipson, Rachel; Isoldi, Fabio. 2013. Public Procurement Reform in Iraq : A Long and Difficult Road. MENA knowledge and learning quick notes
series;no. 113. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/20560 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”