Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency welcomed Indonesia as its 13th partner under the Global Procurement Initiative: Understanding Best Value (GPI). Under this partnership, USTDA will train public procurement officials to obtain the greatest value for money for Indonesia’s public infrastructure investments. Indonesia’s induction into the GPI was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between USTDA and the Government of Indonesia’s National Public Procurement Agency, Lembaga Kebijakan dan Pengadaan Barang/Jasa Pemerintah (LKPP).
“USTDA’s partnership with Indonesia will support the country’s efforts to ensure fair, transparent procurements and increased international competition for its public tenders,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Acting Director. “USTDA has a rich history of partnership with the Government of Indonesia, and we believe that cooperation on public procurement will lead to higher-quality and more resilient infrastructure for the Indonesian people. We look forward to the continued positive transformations that the GPI will facilitate.”
Under the partnership, USTDA will lead trainings in the United States, Indonesia and virtually on international best practices and the integration of best value methodologies in public procurement. The trainings will be carried out in coordination with the George Washington University Law School’s Government Procurement Law program and U.S. expert practitioners with extensive procurement experience in government, the private sector and higher education. The training will deepen Indonesia’s workforce professionalization and use of fair, transparent value-based procurement methodology. Priority subjects will include public-private partnerships and sector-specific procurement related to energy, and information and communications technology.
Chargé d’Affaires for the U.S. Mission in Indonesia, Heather Variava, said: “The partnership we formalize today reflects the United States’ commitment to the growing significance of the U.S.-Indonesia Strategic Partnership with respect to the security, stability and prosperity of both countries.” She added, “Our strong bilateral relationship is undergirded by the trade and investment ties that contribute to peace and stability in the entire Indo-Pacific region.”
Dr. Ir. Roni Dwi Susanto, Chairman of LKPP said: “Over three years of conversation and dialogue have culminated in this exciting moment, bringing together LKPP and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency as official partners. Through hard work and dedication we have arrived at this point and look forward to taking the next step to learn, incorporate and build upon global best practices with respect to government procurement.”
Launched in 2013, USTDA’s Global Procurement Initiative: Understanding Best Value is dedicated to assisting public officials in emerging economies to better understand the total cost of ownership of goods and services for infrastructure projects. The Initiative now includes 13 partner countries.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
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