Private sector involvement will benefit public services: Visam

The recent ‘unsolicited proposal’ policy will increase private sector involvement in development and in turn improve public services, says Registrar of Companies Maryam Visam.

Visam spoke to RaajjeTV on Tuesday night and said that the policy will allow operators in the private sector to address matters of public concern.

Visam said that despite proposals being submitted without declaration and a public invitation to bid, the policy will not allow for preferential treatment or any other form of corruption.

The registrar said in Tuesday’s interview that the proposals are not overseen by a single entity, namely the Economic Ministry, but all institutions relevant to a proposal will be included in discussions.

Visam also said that proposals that only have potentially lasting benefits for the economy and public services will be considered.

She also said that while proposals are submitted without declaration, the state will ensure that all cooperation with private sector companies are carried out under a ‘transparent’ system.

Further, Visam said that ‘one of’ the primary purposes of the regulation behind the policy is to ensure that the process by which proposals are considered is not conducive to corruption. In this regard, Visam said that if there is any apparent collusion or corruption, either from an applicant or a representative of the state, then the entire negotiation will be dissolved. Case in point, Visam said that a company that wishes to provide a helicopter service can work with the Economic Ministry to ensure they are in line with regulations falling under the mandate of other institutions, such as the Civil Aviation Authority.

Visam also said that the regulations were the result inter-government discussion, and that all ministries were involved in finalizing it.

The President’s Office has on Sunday announced a new government procurement policy that paves for private sector involvement in national development projects. The new policy will allow businesses to offer ‘unique’ solutions to problems without being explicitly requested by the government, or announced for public tender.

The policy says proposals to develop or assist government functions can be submitted, without having to do with an ongoing service or project. Proposals can also be submitted for ‘innovative’ assistance in implementing projects in the government’s strategic development plan.

Once a proposal is made, it will go through a three-step process; the first being assessment and initial review, secondly specifics of the proposal will be reviewed and negotiated before a final offer, and finally, the signing of an agreement to execute the proposal.

All proposals are to be submitted to the Ministry of Economic Development, and a soft-copy e-mailed to them, while a council of cabinet ministers or the president will have the final say.