MOSCOW, 8 May (BelTA) – It is important that we eliminate national protectionism in terms of access to public procurement in the EAEU, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Moscow on 8 May, BelTA has learned.
According to the president, the volume of public procurement in the EAEU countries is estimated at almost $200 billion. In fact, the states, as buyers of goods, works and services, fully control this market and determine procurement policy and acquisition channels.
"If we really control it, then let's ensure mutual access at least in the areas where the EAEU-made products can meet state needs," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
He stated that national protectionism still persists in this sector: in reality, the market is protected not from imports from third countries, which account for almost two-thirds of the EAEU's public procurement, but from goods and services produced in the countries of the union.
"I am convinced that the issue of expanding mutual participation in public procurement requires urgent attention. Because it is closely related to import substitution and technological sovereignty. By and large, this is our security and independence," the head of state said.
