Addis Ababa, 1 November 2022 (ECA) – To do business with the UN, Suppliers need a good understanding of the procurement processes in order to deliver quality goods and services in a professional manner to support the United Nations operations.
Speaking at the Annual UN Business Seminar for 2022 organized for suppliers of the United Nations systems in Ethiopia, Ms. Hien Dang, Chairperson of the UN Operations Management Team (OMT) in Ethiopia and the UNDP Ethiopia Deputy Resident Representative (Operations), stated that vendors are important in supporting the procurement processes and need broader knowledge of how to interact with the UN in an appropriate and productive manner.
It is therefore critical to educate workshop participants on UN procurement activities and to highlight business prospects and opportunities, thereby strengthening the UN’s partnership with potential suppliers and business partners in Ethiopia, said Ms. Dang.
The business workshop was aimed at enhancing the capacity and understanding of local vendors and suppliers of UN procurement rules and regulations so that they can actively participate in the bidding processes at different levels.
Ms. Dang told participants that the workshop will further enrich “your knowledge and understanding of UN procurement processes and its way of doing business”, pledging that it would help the UN increase the quality and number of vendors for goods, services and construction that are critical for its operations in Ethiopia.
The workshop organized by the Common Logistics and Procurement Working Group of the UN-OMT in Ethiopia, brought together local vendors and suppliers, private and public sector representatives in Ethiopia, including the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its constituent members, government organizations, professional associations and UN agencies.
Affirming the importance of procurement for development outcomes and economic growth, Ms. Mesenbet Shenkute, President of the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association, said procurement has changed from an administrative to a strategic function with the overarching principles of value for money, integrity, and sustainable outcomes.
“The way the procurement process is undertaken must provide all internal and external stakeholders assurances that the process is fair and transparent, and that integrity has been maintained,” said Ms. Mesenbet, who described a fair procurement process as offering equal opportunities to all bidders through sharing the same information with all bidders as well as being free from favoritism and self-interest.
Lamenting that many business organizations have neglected cultivating good relationships with suppliers while fostering customer loyalty, Ms. Mesenbet said businesses need to excel in supplier relationship management because it has immense long-term benefits for organizations.
“Vendors, as allies in business, can play a crucial role in the success or failure of an organization. Organizations should work to nurture their vendor relationship in the same manner that they focus on fostering customer loyalty,” said Ms. Mesenbet, adding that a specific initiative for discussion is improving the use of e-procurement for greater efficiency and transparency in procurement.
“Leveraging technology through electronic procurement platforms is no longer just an option. Today it is an absolute imperative...Our chamber realizes that procurement is no longer just about achieving transactional efficiency,” said Ms. Mesenbet.
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org
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