One of the objectives of the public procurement reforms have been on promoting ease of doing business. In a move to promote ease of doing business the the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe’s operations recently launched the Public Procurement Service Centres officiated by the Honourable Vice President General (Rtd) Dr C. G. D. N. Chiwenga. The Public Procurement Service Centres are a partnership between the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) and Zimbabwe Posts (Pvt) Ltd to use the Post Offices and Community Information Centres to provide ICT infrastructure and low-cost internet to previously marginalized suppliers willing to register with PRAZ.
“This is part of devolving and empowering the previously marginalized communities, to ensure that no one and no place is left behind, in our national development process,” said the Hon. Vice President General (Rtd) Dr C. G. D. N. Chiwenga officiating at the Launch.
The Hon Vice President reiterated the role of technology and importance of access to the internet which has become obvious with the internet being a tool that people rely on to conduct their daily business as well as interact with each other, the economy and Government. However, most marginalized communities do not have access to digital facilities. Hence, Government came up with Community Information Centres. He said that it was pleasing to note that another Government Agency, the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, decided to take advantage and minimize this digital divide to promote supplier registration, using the Community Information Service Centre Infrastructure.
“The role of technology and importance of access to internet has become obvious. The internet is a tool that people rely on to conduct their daily business,” said Hon Vice President General (Rtd) Dr C. G.D.N. Chiwenga. Hence, PRAZ’s initiative has come at an opportune time, to ensure equal access to opportunities for all suppliers despite their geographical location.
The partnership between PRAZ and ZIMPOST will ensure accessibility of PRAZ services countrywide through use of ZIMPOST’s Community Information Centres (CICs). It will also reduce the cost of doing business to those eligible suppliers willing to register with PRAZ but do not have ICT infrastructure or access to internet to complete the registration process or upload documents. This means that no eligible bidder, contractor or service provider will be left out in terms of bidding for services or goods advertised due to remote location or inaccessibility to resources to register.
This move by PRAZ is not only a means of bridging the information gap and promoting ease of doing business but it is also a key enabler of economic development. Access to internet is still a challenge to many especially the marginalised groups, as such PRAZ resorted to provision of services at the CICs with minimum costs.
Speaking at the launch, PRAZ Board Chairperson, Mrs Nyemba said: “We expect more previously marginalised suppliers in the communities such as SMEs, women and youth owned businesses to take part in the public procurement processes and register with PRAZ.” As such, the decentralisation of PRAZ services helps in the creation of better services at minimum costs and increased participation of suppliers and enhanced competition.
It is important that the public has confidence in PRAZ’s ability to mobilise and implement an effective online system and leave no one behind. Therefore, this partnership with ZIMPOST will ensure inclusivity and a fair playing field for all bidders and suppliers nationwide.