eProcurement in Norway.

Norway is a country where harnessing ICT is one of the main determinant of country development. The public sector purchases goods and services for almost NOK 240 billion each year (approximately 15 per cent of GDP). Norway seems to be interesting example as a country very advanced in terms of ICT but at the same time not being good enough in regard of making benefits from ICT in PA.

I have just read very clear and comprehensive document dealing with eProcurement. The document - Strategy and actions for the use of electronic business processes and electronic procurement in the public sector. A follow‐up to eNorway 2009 – the digital leap - lies foundations for eNorway concepts in terms of eProcurement

- The real challenge lies, however, not in starting to use electronic marketplaces and solutions for electronic procurement, but in change processes and change management. A countless number of more or less defined routines must be both changed and not least improved – said Morten E. Mayer, Norwegian Minister of Modernization.

That is a core idea. It is not about respective solutions, it is about re-enginiering of PA and adoption of business processes in PA. ICT is a tool which can better, deepen and foster this process.

I recommend to read this Strategy. There is a lot of interesting facts and information presenting Norwegian approach. There is also info on Ehandel.no – The Norwegian Electronic Public Procurement Portal which is a main ICT tool in Norwegian value chain for public sector procurement responsible for ordering process. .

You can read the report .