Since public procurement represents a significant percentage of the gross domestic product (in 2021, 4.47% of the GDP of Montenegro), that a large part of public expenditures refers to them and that they transfer public funds to the private sector, this area is recognized as very sensitive to various types of corruption.

Acknowledging this fact, the Agency for Prevention of Corruption analyzed all procedures based on whistleblower reports, including those initiated ex officio, in the period from the beginning of work, that is, from January 1, 2016, until January 1, 2023, subject of which was a threat to the public interest that indicates the existence of corruption in the field of public procurement in government bodies, local self-government and administration units, and especially in public companies, public institutions and other legal entities whose majority owner or founder is the state or municipality.

Since corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for personal gain, and the interaction between the public and private sectors is particularly sensitive to conflict of interest and corruption, the legal regulation of public procurement is of great importance to combat these phenomena. The implementation of the public procurement procedure and the selection of the best bidder have to be reasonably elaborated in the law in order not to leave an unjustified space for the appearance of conflicts of interest and corruption. The basic principles that reduce the risk of conflicts of interest are, first, transparency, competitiveness and control mechanisms of the public procurement procedures themselves.

In the coming period, the Agency for Prevention of Corruption will continue to initiate procedures on whistleblower reports in the field of public procurement in a timely manner, as well as to act in a timely manner in order to strengthen the integrity of all public sector institutions.

“Analysis of public procurement procedures for the period January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2023” is available at the link.