Joint Press Release by the Ministry of External Relations and the Ministry of Economy - Brazil presents offer for accession to the Agreement on Government Procurement

Brazil submitted today to the members of the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) its revised offer of market access. This shows the priority the Brazilian government places on the process of accession to that instrument,  as well as the importance for Brazil of the Multilateral Trade System, in a context in which it seeks to strengthen it in preparation for the XII Ministerial Conference of the Organization (11/30 - 12/03/21).

The revised Brazilian offer expands the number of Public Administration bodies and entities that commit to carrying out public contracts open to the participation of suppliers from the parties to the agreement, covering goods, services and public works. Brazil's adhesion will promote the reduction of public spending and the improvement of the quality of government goods and services, as well as will promote Brazilian exports and foreign investments in the country.

The elaboration of the revised offer took into account the reaction of the current GPA parties to Brazil's initial offer, continued consultation with different governmental actors, and contributions from the private sector.

Brazil's adhesion to the GPA is in line with recommendations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) concerning increased transparency, fostering competition at the national level, and combating anti-competitive practices in public tenders.

The GPA is a plurilateral treaty within the framework of the WTO, comprising 48 countries and autonomous customs territories*, which together constitute a public procurement market estimated at $ 1.7 trillion annually. Brazil requested accession to the GPA in May 2020.

*Armenia, Aruba, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei, United Kingdom, European Union, Ukraine, United States.