Kingston, Jamaica: Monday, February 19, 2024
Local, regional and international experts and stakeholders from the business community as well as legislators will gather for the inaugural Elevate Procurement Conference scheduled for April 23- 25, 2024 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. The conference was announced to the public during a media launch on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at AC Hotels by Marriott.
The Elevate Procurement Conference is hosted by the Office of the Public Procurement Policy (OPPP) in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service (MOFPS) and is set to target suppliers of goods, services and works; local civil society and corruption watchdog groups and procuring entities.
Andrei Bennett, Chief Public Procurement Officer at the MOFPS, while speaking during the launch says the conference will feature riveting discussions with various break-out sessions, lectures and symposiums, tackling different challenges within public procurement while also devising solutions and demonstrating its pivotal role in shaping the future of government commerce in Jamaica.
“The Elevate Procurement Conference encapsulates our collective vision. We’re not just here to discuss the status quo; we’re here to elevate it. To push boundaries, challenge norms and embrace change, because in today’s fast-paced world, standing still is no longer an option- and it’s not an option when now more than ever before, we have the means to truly pursue development,” He said.
Bennett further highlighted that the conference promises to be an interactive experience and is structured to expose participants to new thinking and information on public procurement.
“Our goal is to equip each participant with the knowledge, tools and insights needed to navigate the complexities of modern procurement- whether you are a supplier or a procurement practitioner,” Bennett said.
Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, while endorsing the conference underscored the importance of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) in monitoring the procurement process within public sector entities.
“This policy marks a pivotal step in enhancing transparency and accountability in contractor and consultant selection for public projects. In essence, the PPC policy seeks to secure the value of money for Jamaican taxpayers and citizens. Please Jamaicans, play the game fair, especially if you’re in authority,” he highlighted.
Senator Hill also noted that for Jamaica to achieve a fair, efficient, equitable and transparent procurement process it must be founded on peace, productivity and prosperity.
Metry Seaga, President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), is also endorsing the conference as the business community has been plagued with issues that hinder their ability to compete effectively in the global marketplace.
“The PSOJ is eager to contribute to and support the evolution of our procurement system. Through constructive dialogue and collaborative action, we can achieve a system that is not only efficient and transparent but also inclusive and beneficial to all stakeholders,” He noted.
The conference speakers will include Philippe Pelletier, Legal Affairs Officer in the Intellectual Property, Government Procurement and Competition Division of the World Trade Organization’s Secretariat, Dr. Margaret Rose, Attorney-at-Law and Senior Partner at Lex Caribbean in Trinidad and Tobago, Jeanette Calder, Executive Director and Founder of the Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal (JAMP), Head of Government Procurement, Andrei Bennett, among others.
The three-day conference is being presented under the theme, Elevate: Innovate, Create and will close with a cocktail event.
For further information contact:
Corporate Communication & Public Relations Branch
Ministry of Finance and the Public Service
30 National Heroes Circle
Kingston 4
Tel: (876) 932-4656/4660/4655
Email: Shelly-Ann.Weeks@mof.gov.jm; Shakiel.Rochester-Shorter@mof.gov.jm
