Public procurement policymakers from Asia-Pacific gather in Seoul for workshop

Public Procurement Service (PPS) Administrator Lim Ki-keun, front row sitting at center, poses with participants to the International Procurement Workshop hosted by the PPS and the Asian Development Bank in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of PPS

Public procurement experts from the Asia-Pacific have gathered in Seoul to enhance their understanding of e-procurement and share insights.

They are participating in a workshop hosted by the Public Procurement Service (PPS) of Korea and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The event is taking place in Seoul from Wednesday through Friday.

It is the first time such a workshop has been held for policymakers across the Asia-Pacific.

The workshop is part of the official development assistance project for international development cooperation, which the PPS is carrying out in collaboration with ADB.

Twenty-four high-level officials from 14 countries, including Uzbekistan's Deputy Minister of Finance Gulnora Rakhimova, are participating to learn from Korea's public procurement infrastructure.

It will cover a wide range of topics, from Korea's overall digital government strategies to key policies in public procurement and operational knowledge of its e-procurement system, to enhance the understanding of participants regarding the nation's government procurement system.

In particular, the workshop coincides with the fourth annual Public Procurement Day event, giving APAC procurement leaders a chance to learn about Korea's leading innovative companies. This is expected to boost their understanding of the nation's Innovation Procurement initiative and increase awareness of Korea's innovative businesses.

"This is the first event of its kind to share Korea's government procurement systems and e-procurement expertise with high-level policymakers from the Asia Pacific region. It's a key step in solidifying the country's leadership in global public procurement within the region," PPS Administrator Lim Ki-keun said.

Lim added, "We will continue to strengthen cooperation with ADB and Asia Pacific countries to advance the region's public procurement infrastructure."