North Macedonia adopts amendments to Public Procurement Law

The Parliament of North Macedonia adopted amendments to the Law on Public Procurement at its 122nd session, introducing measures aimed at modernizing the public procurement system, increasing transparency and competition, and ensuring more efficient and responsible use of public funds.

The amendments stem from experience gained in implementing the existing law, the need to align it with current economic conditions, and reform priorities outlined in the Reform Agenda and the European Union's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, CE Report informs via the Ministry of Finance of North Macedonia's official website.

One of the key changes involves improving the Electronic Marketplace for Low-Value Procurement to encourage wider use and greater competition among economic operators.

At the same time, the amendments introduce mandatory application of the "best price-quality ratio" criterion, ensuring that quality and long-term value, alongside price, are considered when selecting the most advantageous bid.

The legislative changes also strengthen the digitalization of public procurement by expanding the powers of the Public Procurement Bureau to use modern digital tools and artificial intelligence-based solutions.

The aim is to improve the monitoring of procurement procedures, identify risks promptly, and prevent potential abuses. Additionally, the amendments establish a legal framework for introducing web services and enabling automatic data exchange with other institutions and relevant entities.

To increase transparency, the amendments introduce a requirement to publish voluntary ex ante transparency notices for negotiated procedures without prior publication of a contract notice in cases specified by law.

This measure will provide greater public access to information and improve transparency for economic operators while simplifying certain administrative procedures.

The amendments also focus on professionalizing public procurement personnel by introducing a system of continuous professional development for procurement officers, replacing periodic recertification through repeated examinations.

Furthermore, the legislation adjusts the financial thresholds for applying the law to reflect economic conditions and rising costs. Fees for appeal procedures are also revised while maintaining the principle of accessible and effective legal protection.

The adopted amendments form part of broader reform efforts to modernize North Macedonia's public procurement system and align it with European standards.

The ultimate goal is to ensure greater transparency, stronger competition, and more efficient management of public funds for the benefit of institutions and citizens.

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