MPs to debate law doubling tender limits

TDT | Manama

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Lawmakers will debate on Tuesday a draft law to raise the spending limits granted to ministries and state-owned companies, easing some of the restrictions around small-scale public tenders and sales. The proposal would double the current thresholds, allowing ministries to manage deals worth up to BD50,000 without going through the central Tender Board. For wholly state-owned firms, the ceiling would rise to BD100,000.

Transactions

These transactions must still be reported every three months. A clause giving the Cabinet power to amend the limits further has drawn criticism and was flagged by the reviewing committee, which recommended striking it out. Other changes focus on how tenders are awarded.

Under the draft, government entities would be allowed to negotiate with suppliers in limited cases — such as when only one bid is received or when the most suitable offer overshoots the budget. This move has raised eyebrows in business circles. The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, while broadly in favour of the bill, warned that such negotiations — coming after the bids have been opened — risk tipping the scales against smaller firms that enter the race with their best offer from the start.