Electronic auctions — convenient, reliable, efficient

In accordance with Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 708 dated 30.12.2010 "On Conducting Electronic Auctions", a new stage in competitive procurement through electronic auctions has begun in the Republic of Belarus. Foreign experience shows that this is the most effective way to place orders for state needs. Moreover, the transition of this process to an electronic format opens up new opportunities for Belarusian enterprises in carrying out export supplies.

Thus, at the end of 2010, the Belarusian side ratified a package of draft laws forming the legal framework of the Single Economic Space (SES) of the three states, including the Agreement on State (Municipal) Procurement. In this regard, enterprises of Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan will have equal opportunities to participate in the state procurement of these countries.

An electronic auction is an auction conducted on an electronic trading platform through the submission of price proposals (bids) on the Internet. All document flow is carried out electronically and only through the electronic trading platform. Regardless of location, an accredited participant on the ETB can participate in the bidding. The winner is the participant who made the last bid, provided they meet the qualification requirements.

Currently, about 80% of tenders in Russia are conducted in electronic form. According to expert estimates, the savings of budget funds average 30%, and in some cases, 60% of the initial price. The volume of state orders conducted through electronic auctions reaches 3 trillion Russian rubles per year.

According to Boris Smolkin, Director of the RUE "National Center for Marketing and Price Conjuncture" of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, electronic auctions have undeniable advantages over traditional types of bidding. Among them are: transparency and openness of the procurement process, absence of territorial restrictions, saving of budget funds and reduction of time for preparation of necessary documents, efficiency and accessibility for representatives of small and medium-sized businesses. "Many more facts can be cited in favor of electronic auctions, but they all come down to the main point: the state receives an effective tool for controlling the targeted use of budget funds allocated for public procurement," emphasized Boris Smolkin.

In Belarus, all measures for the implementation of electronic auctions are planned to be completed by the end of the current year. In this regard, all participants must master the practice of conducting them.

From February 25, 2011, the Certification Center of RUE "National Center for Marketing and Price Conjuncture" (http://ca.ncmps.by) began its work, both in Minsk and in all its branches, including Vitebsk. Its main activity is the issuance of open key certificates for electronic digital signatures, which are necessary for working in the electronic auction system.

From March 1, 2011, accreditation of customers (organizers, authorized organizations) and participants of electronic auctions is being carried out on the electronic trading platform www.goszakupki.by.

Inquiries and consultations on accreditation, conducting and participating in electronic auctions can be obtained at the Vitebsk branch of RUE "National Center for Marketing and Price Conjuncture" by phone: (0212) 35-90-29, 35-90-72.

Source: National Center for Marketing and Price Conjuncture