ELECTRONICS: CONSULTATION ON ELECTRONIC PUBLIC PROCUREMENT.

• Position: Brief Article

Wider awareness about electronic procurement opportunities is the focus of a new on-line consultation launched by the European Commission. This is a first step toward a subsequent Action Plan based on new provisions in a package of procurement directives adopted in February. The deadline for responses is October 15. Public procurement accounts for about 16% of the EU's GDP. Modernising and opening up procurement markets across borders including the expansion of electronic procurement - should create new opportunities for EU businesses and help the economy grow, says the Commission.

According to the Commission, use of information technology will reduce costs, improve efficiency and remove barriers to trade, leading ultimately to savings for taxpayers. But the Commission needs input from businesses on existing barriers, expectations and...