Saudi authorities are advancing several initiatives to prevent illegal activities in government procurement, according to Mazin Al-Kahmous, President of the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, Nazaha. Speaking at a UN meeting in Vienna on Tuesday, Al-Kahmous outlined the Kingdom's efforts to promote transparency and integrity in public tenders.
A key initiative highlighted is the development of a unified electronic portal, Etimad, which aims to improve transparency in procurement activities, enhance public spending efficiency and reduce opportunities for corruption across all stages of government tenders. Etimad has become a central tool in monitoring procurement processes and minimizing corruption risks.
Al-Kahmous emphasized the cooperation between Nazaha and the Ministry of Finance to implement safeguards within Etimad, specifically targeting high-risk activities to reduce potential fraud or collusion among businesses vying for government contracts.
He also acknowledged the Kingdom's support for a global initiative launched in collaboration with the UN Development Program, which focuses on measuring corruption and promoting integrity in public procurement on an international scale.