New Zealand and Montenegro join the GPA

Yesterday, the participants of the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) agreed to the accession of New Zealand and Montenegro. With these two new accessions, the total number of countries in the GPA stands at 45 (counting each member of the EU individually).

Several delegations welcomed New Zealand and Montenegro and stated their hope that this will lead to further accessions. Currently, China and seven other countries are still negotiating with GPA members to join. China stated that it intends to submit a new offer by the end of the year.

It is important to remember that the revised GPA entered into force last April 6. The WTO DG stated that the participation of Montenegro and New Zealand means access to $1.7 trillion in procurement opportunities for companies in Montenegro and New Zealand. Additionally, membership in the GPA also means that governments in Montenegro and New Zealand can benefit from greater competition in their own procurement markets, according to DG Azevedo.