UNICEF Explains Procurement Policy in Palestinian Territory
http://english.wafa.ps/index.php?action=detail&id=19916

GAZA, May 28, 2012 – Following criticism by the Palestinian Contractors
Union regarding its procurement policy in the occupied Palestinian
Territory, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said Monday that if
Palestinians are unable to provide the goods needed for any project, it has
to buy them from other providers.

The contractors had expressed concern in a statement regarding participation
of Israeli companies in UNICEF tenders to build desalination station in the
Gaza Strip and called for a boycott of the tenders.

UNICEF Special Representative in the occupied Palestinian territory, Jean
Gough, met Monday with the chairman of the Palestinian Contractors Union in
Gaza to discuss the concerns they raised over UNICEF procurement policy.

“The priority and policy of UNICEF office in the occupied Palestinian
territory is to purchase goods and services from qualified Palestinian
manufacturers, authorized dealers and companies,” said Gough in a statement.
“We only buy from other providers when goods are not available,” she added.

“When purchasing goods, works or services, UNICEF follows the joint United
Nations guidelines and buys goods directly from manufacturers or authorized
dealers in a timely, cost effective manner. All purchases are made through
competitive tendering among pre-qualified suppliers based in the area of
operations,” said the statement.

It said that the desalination unit is one of UNICEF’s latest projects in
Gaza, which will provide Palestinian children with access to good quality
water.

“We are committed to work with our Palestinian partners to ensure that this
unit can be built without delay and with the best quality materials
available, so that it can benefit Palestinian children as soon as possible,”
Gough said. “The final decision on the continuation of this project is in
the hands of our Palestinian counterparts and stakeholders,” she added.

UNICEF has been working in the occupied Palestinian territory since the
1980s. In partnership with a wide range of Palestinian organizations, UNICEF
programs help Palestinian children access education, protection, health and
safe drinking water.

M.S.