🌍 Foreign Suppliers Can Bid on PRAZ Tenders: A World of Opportunity Awaits!
Did you know that foreign suppliers can participate in the public procurement process in Zimbabwe? The Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ), through its electronic Government Procurement (eGP) System, opens up a world of opportunities for international companies to supply goods, services, and works to Zimbabwean government entities.
This inclusive approach is part of PRAZ’s mandate to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability in public procurement while promoting cost-effectiveness. By allowing foreign suppliers to bid, Zimbabwe benefits from increased competition, access to specialized expertise, and a wider range of high-quality products and services.
📝 Key Requirements for a Foreign Company
The mandatory documents and details generally required for a foreign company (or Public Limited Company, PLC) include:
- Application Letter: A formal letter expressing interest in registration.
- Certificate of Incorporation: The document showing the company’s registration in its country of origin. Foreign companies must submit similar company documents from their country of registration in place of local forms like CR14/CR6.
- Articles and Memorandum of Association: The constitutive documents of the company.
- List of Directors (or similar): A document listing the company’s directors. For local companies, this is the CR6 form (formerly CR14), so foreign companies must provide an equivalent document from their country of registration.
- Business Physical Address: The physical address of the business. For local companies, this is the CR5 form (formerly CR6), so a foreign company must provide an equivalent or proof of address.
- Particulars showing the relative extent of Zimbabwean and Foreign Shareholding of the company/partnership/syndicate.
- Company Profile: A detailed document outlining the company’s background, experience, and capabilities.
- Contact Details: Including Email Address (which becomes the username) and Telephone numbers.
- Proof of Payment: The non-refundable registration fee (currently listed as US$850 per year for foreign suppliers, though this fee is subject to change.
📝 Important Considerations for Foreign Bidders
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Preference for Local Bidders: Zimbabwean law allows procuring entities to give preference to local suppliers, provided their bids meet the procurement requirements
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Skills Transfer for Construction: For construction contracts, if a foreign supplier wins, there is a proposed requirement to engage local subcontractors and transfer necessary technology and skills
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Payment Delays: Some international firms have reported experiencing payment delays from the government after winning contract.
