Donors: EU and SIDA, BfdW and DCA
Location: Nationwide, with policy-level engagement
Duration: January – December 2022
Budget: 60,500 USD
Implementing Partners: Advocacy and Policy Institute (API), Transparency International Cambodia (TI)
Target Stakeholders: Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), civil society, and citizens

Introduction 

Public procurement is a cornerstone of effective governance and public financial management. In Cambodia, the procurement system has long faced challenges related to transparency, accountability, and citizen participation. Recognizing these gaps, the Advocacy and Policy Institute (API) and Transparency International Cambodia (TI) jointly launched the “Towards Public Procurement Transparency” (PPT) project in 2022 to promote reforms that ensure public resources are managed efficiently and equitably.

The project was initiated in response to the Royal Government of Cambodia’s efforts to revise the 2012 Law on Public Procurement. API and TI contributed to this process by conducting legal analyses of the new draft law and advocating for improvements that align with international standards such as the UNCITRAL Model Law and OECD principles. Through policy dialogue, stakeholder engagement, and evidence-based recommendations, the project aimed to strengthen the legal framework and institutional practices governing public procurement.

By enhancing access to procurement information and promoting inclusive participation, the PPT project supports the broader goal of reducing corruption risks and improving service delivery for citizens. The initiative also underscores the importance of civil society’s role in shaping public policy and holding institutions accountable.

👉 Read related post: Legal Analysis Report on the Draft Law of Public Procurement  

Results

The “Towards Public Procurement Transparency” (PPT) project achieved significant progress in strengthening Cambodia’s public procurement system through legal reform, stakeholder engagement, and evidence-based advocacy.

1.Legal Reform and Policy Influence

API and TI conducted a comprehensive legal analysis of the Draft Law on Public Procurement and submitted detailed recommendations to the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), and development partners. As a result: 

MEF accepted four key recommendations to improve Articles 11, 46, and 48 of the draft law, including: 

• Making public, competitive bidding the default method for procurement. 

• Requiring public announcement of bid opening dates. 

• Including “lowest evaluated cost” and “best value for money” as evaluation criteria. 

2.Legal Assessment and Gap Identification

A legal assessment was conducted to evaluate the alignment of Cambodia’s procurement framework with international standards. The study identified critical gaps in seven key areas: 

• Transparency: Limited public access to procurement data and absence of a centralized online portal. 

• Good Management: Lack of medium-term budget frameworks and protection for procurement officials. 

• Accountability and Integrity: Weak documentation and conflict-of-interest safeguards. 

• Control and Monitoring: No formal risk assessment or post-procurement review mechanisms. 

• Right to Redress: Inadequate complaint resolution systems and lack of independent review bodies. 

• Public Participation: Minimal citizen engagement in procurement planning and oversight. 

• Openness and Inclusiveness: Barriers for SMEs and limited support for sustainable procurement. 

1.Stakeholder Engagement and Awareness

The project facilitated a national dissemination workshop that brought together government officials, civil society, and development partners to discuss the draft law and share recommendations. This platform helped build consensus on the need for a more transparent and accountable procurement system.