Linn: Public Procurement Law Is A Good And Successful Law

ANKARA - World Bank Vice President Johannes Linn said on Saturday that Public Procurement Law was good and successful in general sense and noted that some points in implementation of the law could be reviewed.
Linn held a press conference in which he said that the World Bank was willing to cooperate in review of implementation process.
He was received by Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and met with some government officials, Linn noted.
Linn said that he would meet with private sector representatives in Istanbul in the evening.
The aim of his visit was to review economic and social developments in Turkey, Linn stated.
Linn said that he learned about the views of the government about the foreseen economic program and especially about the year 2003 during his contacts.
He had very fruitful contacts, Linn pointed out.
Linn defined the program of the new government as a good program and said that he stressed importance that the World Bank attributed to a cautious financial program and protection of macro economic balances.
Noting that they once more stressing the importance they attributed to structural reform during his contacts, Linn said that he expressed pleasure over the privatization program of the government.
Linn stated that they conveyed to the government their wish to support reforms in fields of public expenditures, social security and tax.
Noting that he told government members that they support implementation of the new Public Procurement Law as soon as possible, Linn said that he stressed the importance that lawmakers should strongly and independently continue their initiatives.
Linn pointed out that he told the National Education Minister and Health Minister that the World Bank would continue its support in those fields.
During his meeting with State Minister Ali Babacan, he expressed their wish of rapid implementaiton of structural adjustment programs, Linn said.
Linn noted that they decided to continue their contacts in that direction in the following week.
They also discussed the support of the World Bank to 2004 and 2005 financial years, Linn said and pointed out that they aimed to present a new country assistance strategy to the World Bank administration this summer.
When he was reminded about the allegations that the government planned a number of changes in the public procurement law and that bureaucracy was left aside during contacts with the World Bank, Linn said that the Public Procurement Law entered into force on January 1 and that implementation continued.
Linn noted that the world Bank thought that continuous control was necessary during implementation stage of such new laws.
In their opinion, Linn said, the public procurement law was good and successful in general sense.
However, he noted, some points might require a review during implementation stage.
Linn said that they were willing to cooperate with the government during the implementation process and that they could exchange views with the government on possible changes in line with their experiences.
Responding to the allegation that economy bureaucracy was left aside during contacts, Linn said that bureaucrats participated in his contacts with State Minister Ali Babacan.
Linn pointed out that they did not have a detailed discussion on how a new country assistance strategy loan package would be prepared.
The bank was determined about extending financial support to Turkey, Linn said. However, he stressed, the last word would be dependent on the intention of the government.
Linn said that the impression he got from his contacts was that the government was willing to work with them and get their support.
They would have a meeting with the government in spring and start work on the new country assistance strategy package, Linn stated. Linn added that the issue would later be debated by the World Bank administration.
Linn said that paying a visit to Turkey at the same time with International Monetary Fund (IMF) First Deputy Managing Director Anne Krueger was just a coincidence. Noting that he learned that Krueger was also paying a visit to Turkey a few days ago before he came to Turkey, Linn said that he had planned his visit to Turkey in December.
The government had clearly stated its intention to continue adjustment works to meet European Union (EU) criteria, Linn pointed out.
Linn stated that it was important that the government acted in line with economic criteria and that they saw that the government would continue its structural, social and other reforms in the long term.
The impression he got from his contacts was that the government was determined to implement the program, Linn noted.
Linn added that they would continue to work together with the government.