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Bulgaria Takes Significant Steps to Prevent Financial Crime in Public Procurement
Sofia - Bulgaria has been making significant strides in its efforts to prevent financial crime in public procurement, a crucial step towards strengthening trust in government and ensuring the effective use of EU development funds.
Reforms to Comply with EU Requirements
The country’s Public Procurement Act was recently amended to comply with EU legislative requirements and commitments under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The reforms also pave the way for Bulgaria’s potential future membership in the OECD.
Expert Advisory Council Established
A key component of these efforts is the establishment of an expert advisory council to the Minister of Finance, which will analyze the implementation of the law and issue guidelines to harmonize audit controls. The Basel Institute has been tapped to provide assistance in setting up the council and advising its members.
Strengthening Law Enforcement Agencies
In addition to these prevention measures, Bulgaria is working to strengthen the capacity of its law enforcement agencies to detect, investigate, and prosecute corruption in infrastructure projects and procurement. The country is also focusing on recovering stolen funds and assets.
International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) Training Program
To support these efforts, the International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) recently conducted a specialized training program on Corruption in Infrastructure Projects and Procurement in Sofia. The five-day workshop was funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) under the Swiss-Bulgarian Cooperation Programme and brought together 23 participants from law enforcement agencies, state anti-corruption bodies, public procurement authorities, and auditing agencies.
Training Program Highlights
The training program centered on a simulated investigation into a fictitious case of corruption in infrastructure projects. Participants worked in task force groups to identify red flags and unravel complex schemes used by contractors to manipulate public tenders. They also learned about the methods used to secure bribes and kickbacks and how to collect evidence to prove corruption and money laundering offenses.
Focus on Recovering Stolen Assets
The recovery of stolen assets was a significant focus of the training program, with participants learning about strategies for recovering assets laundered domestically in Bulgaria as well as internationally.
Participants’ Feedback
Participants praised the professionalism of the trainers and the balance between theory and practice. They also appreciated the opportunity to engage directly with real-life case studies and learn from experts who have been involved in major cases in the past.
Conclusion
The training program took place at the National Institute of Justice, which aims to develop knowledge, skills, and competencies within Bulgaria’s judicial system and promote the rule of law.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Justice Emil Dechev emphasized the importance of enhancing capacity to investigate corruption and money laundering in public procurement, as these losses have a significant impact on Bulgaria’s national budget. He noted that if the country can stem the flow of stolen funds, it will be able to allocate resources more effectively and improve the quality of life for its citizens.
The workshop was closed by Thomas Stauffer, Head of the Swiss Contribution Office in Bulgaria, who highlighted the significance of the training program for achieving Bulgaria’s national agenda. He noted that procurement is a critical area where corruption can have a significant impact, and emphasized the importance of effective measures to prevent financial crime.