Report warns of graft risks in public procurement process

AMMAN — The Jordan Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission (JIACC) on Monday launched its Support for Improvement in Governance and Management (SIGMA) report, part of a joint initiative between the EU and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. 

The report, funded by the EU, points out gaps that could allow corruption in the unified public procurement system and government tenders, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

JIACC President Mohammad Allaf said the commission will work through a variety of programmes and cases to implement the National Strategy for Integrity and Anti-Corruption 2017-2025.

For his part, EU Ambassador to Jordan Andrea Matteo Fontana said the public procurement system has “a huge effect” on the economy. 

 It usually comprises 12 per cent of the gross domestic product and 30 per cent of government spending in general, while in Jordan, he said, it forms around 40 per cent of the state budget. 

Fontana said the EU will continue to assist Jordan and will support the JIACC to implement the recommendations of the SIGMA report, the value of which, he noted, lies in the commission’s future measures. 

The joint initiative’s senior adviser for public procurement, Erika Bozzay, said the system forms an important part of good governance and its economic effect “can be seen by all”, while also acknowledging the dangers of corruption.