Pátek 29. března 2024, svátek má Taťána
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Lidovky.cz

Prague-listed firms object to TOP 09 proposal on public tenders

  16:40

TOP 09 pushing ahead with draft proposal to require firms winning public tenders to fully disclose their ownership structures

Proč poslanec Jan Farský (TOP 09) tolik lpí na zachování odvodů z hazardu na veřejně prospěšné účely? Když vláda jasně prohlásila, že chce hazard zdanit? foto: © Česká televizeČeská pozice

A number of banks, entrepreneurs and lawyers have taken issue with a proposal by Czech junior coalition government partner TOP 09 and various civic initiatives to oblige companies winning public contracts to reveal full details about the their ownership structures,  those of subcontractors, and the beneficial owners.

Speaking at a meeting of experts Platform for Transparent Public Contracts (see www.transparentnizakazky.cz) held on Friday at the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), critics said the measure would be harmful and unrealistic, for example, for firms listed on the Prague Stock Exchange (BCPP), the Czech News Agency (ČTK) reported.

“The proposed amendment is key for KB [Komerční banka], as in our opinion it would probably lead to KB to exit the public procurement sphere,” the bank said. Also expressing concern was the Czech savings bank Česká Spořitelna, a subsidiary of Prague-listed Erste Bank, which called the proposal “ill conceived,” and the German engineering giant Siemens, which called it a “discriminatory proposal.”

 TOP 09 deputy Jan Farský said the center-right party would stand behind the amendment as is. He said obliging companies winning public tenders — and their subcontractors — to fully disclose their ownership structures should apply for three years after their being awarded the contracts, according to the ČTK report.

The amendment put forth by TOP 09 to the public procurement law could enter into force in February or March; the first reading passed the lower house of Parliament (Chamber of Deputies) this summer, with the second reading scheduled for later this month.

Platform for Transparent Public Contracts

The Platform is a forum where public sector institutions, political parties, business associations and non-governmental organizations meet to discuss ways of improving public procurement in the Czech Republic.

The first step is a proposal of amendments to the Act on Public Procurement (39 principles and comments that go beyond 39 principles), it says; the second step is the  Recommendations for Supplier Disclosure initiative.

“Any company engaged in public procurement is invited to sign and implement recommendations outlined in a document Recommendations for Supplier Disclosure to promote transparent and efficient public procurement,” the Platform says on its website.

“Further steps include improvement of public procurement at the regional and municipal levels, effective prosecution of breaches of the law, and creation of a watchdog network that would monitor implementation of the law.”

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2. týden: Vyhrajte dobroty pro batolata v hodnotě 3 466 Kč
2. týden: Vyhrajte dobroty pro batolata v hodnotě 3 466 Kč

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