| Year of assessment | 2019-2020 |
| Date of publication | November 2021 |
| Country procurement volume | 485 million USD (2019) |
| Principal organisation | Ministry of Finance |
| Main partners | Word Bank (WB) |
Moldova
Moldova’s MAPS MAIN assessment examined a public procurement system undergoing significant reform as part of the country’s broader governance and European integration agenda. The assessment recognised progress made in digitalisation through the MTender e-procurement platform and greater transparency of procurement processes, while identifying opportunities to harmonise the legal framework with EU standards, strengthen institutional capacity, improve procurement planning and market participation, expand access to procurement data, and reinforce oversight and integrity mechanisms.
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Quick facts
Background
Why was a MAPS assessment initiated?
- The assessment was conducted to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Moldova’s public procurement system.
- It aimed to align Moldova’s procurement framework with international best practices and EU directives.
- The goal was to identify areas for reform to enhance efficiency, competition, and transparency.
Who initiated the assessment?
- The assessment was initiated by the Government of Moldova, led by the Ministry of Finance.
- It was conducted with support from the European Union and the World Bank.
Brief description of the country procurement system
- Moldova’s public procurement system operates under the Public Procurement Law (PPL).
- It regulates the procurement of goods, works, and services for public sector entities.
- While reforms have been made, challenges remain in:
- Harmonizing procurement laws across different sectors.
- Ensuring fair competition and broad market participation.
- Fully implementing and optimizing e-procurement.
Is there anything else about the country that merits mention?
Moldova has been undergoing significant governance and economic reforms, including:
- Anti-corruption measures.
- Efforts to improve business confidence.
- Public procurement reform is a key part of these broader initiatives.
Main results and impact
Issue: Fragmentation and lack of harmonization with EU procurement rules
Moldova’s procurement laws include the PPL, utilities law, public-private partnership (PPP) law, and state-owned enterprise (SOE) procurement rules, but these are not fully harmonized, leading to legal inconsistencies and inefficiencies.
Recommendations:
- Align the PPL, utilities law, and PPP law with EU procurement directives.
- Update and harmonize secondary legislation, procurement guidelines, and standard documents.
- Ensure that all public procurement contracts, regardless of funding source, follow the same legal principles.
Issue: Weak institutional capacity and unclear roles of procurement bodies
The Public Procurement Agency (PPA) and the National Agency for Solving Complaints (NASC) have overlapping mandates and resource constraints, limiting effective oversight.
Recommendations:
- Clearly define roles and responsibilities of procurement regulatory institutions.
- Provide additional technical and financial resources to improve oversight and regulatory enforcement.
- Implement a certification program for procurement officials to strengthen professionalism and competency.
Issue: E-procurement system (MTender) is incomplete and inefficient
The MTender platform was introduced to digitize procurement processes, but it does not cover the entire procurement cycle, is difficult to navigate, and lacks functionalities such as framework agreements and contract management.
Recommendations:
- Develop a new, fully integrated e-procurement system compliant with Moldova’s procurement laws.
- Improve the user-friendliness of the system to facilitate broader adoption.
- Ensure full digital integration of procurement planning, contract award, and post-award contract management.
Issue: Weak procurement planning and market engagement
Contracting authorities lack the necessary skills and data to conduct effective procurement planning and market research, leading to inefficiencies and limited supplier participation.
Recommendations:
- Strengthen procurement planning mechanisms, including market research requirements before tendering.
- Provide training and guidance to contracting authorities on value-for-money procurement approaches.
- Analyze the Moldovan supply market and develop policies to enhance competition and supplier participation.
Issue: Barriers to competition and low private sector engagement
Many businesses, especially SMEs, are discouraged from participating in public procurement due to complex eligibility requirements and perceived risks of unfair competition.
Recommendations:
- Simplify supplier registration and bidding requirements.
- Encourage SME participation by adopting more flexible procurement methods.
- Organize regular consultations with the private sector to identify and address competition barriers.
Issue: Limited transparency and public access to procurement data
While Moldova has legal provisions for procurement transparency, the availability and accessibility of procurement data remain limited, reducing public oversight.
Recommendations:
- Establish a centralized procurement database with open-access to procurement data.
- Publish comprehensive procurement reports to enhance accountability.
- Strengthen civil society engagement in monitoring procurement processes.
Issue: Weak enforcement of integrity and anti-corruption measures
Corruption risks remain a major concern in Moldova’s procurement system due to weak enforcement mechanisms and lack of structured oversight.
Recommendations:
- Implement stricter integrity and conflict-of-interest regulations for procurement officials.
- Strengthen audit mechanisms to detect and prevent procurement fraud.
- Institutionalize regular consultations between policy, audit, and oversight bodies to ensure consistent interpretation of procurement laws.