Armenia’s anti-trust body to launch thorough examination of government
procurement practices

YEREVAN, January 22, /ARKA/. Chairman of Armenia’s anti-trust body
said today his agency will launch a thorough examination of government
procurement practices.

Speaking at a news conference, David Harutyunian, head of the State
Commission for Protection of Economic Competition, said his agency and
the ministry of finance signed last year an agreement on supervision
of government procurement process. He said the focus will be on
tracking down any conspiracy among bidding companies.

`There are many temptations for public companies and organizations to
slip their hands into the government’s pocket . We have, particularly,
exposed many instances of inflated prices by bidding companies,’ he
said.

He also said the entire methodology of conducting government
procurement will be revised and a joint group will be established from
representatives of the finance ministry and the Commission to
supervise it. -0-