World Bank, UNFPA simplify procurement of health supplies

world-bankThe World Bank Group has released a new standard agreement form to make it easier for the Bank’s borrowers to procure reproductive health supplies through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The new agreement is a result of an ongoing partnership between the Bank and UNFPA to advance women’s health and also as part of a coordinated effort to step up support to developing countries to improve women’s health in the countdown to reach the Millennium Development Goals by the end of 2015.

A press release issued on July 11, 2013, said, the agreement has dramatically simplified the procurement process that countries have to undertake under World Bank Group-financed projects, as well as streamlined invoicing, billing, and financial reporting.

UNFPA Chief of Procurement, Eric Dupont indicated that, “This arrangement can benefit a broad range of countries, smaller countries that cannot access quality assured or competitively priced goods; governments that don’t have enough staff to conduct timely procurement; and countries that need to fill supply gaps while they are conducting a local bidding process — all can benefit.”

By Dorcas Appiah

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