Opening government procurement to women's enterprises

Enhanced participation in the international economy by women's business enterprises (WBE) that is, enterprises run by and employing women, can provide access to more and better-paying jobs for women. Such enterprises are important vehicles for achieving gender equality and the positive developmental benefits that are associated with it. The World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA), in particular the revised version of the agreement recently adopted by a group of WTO Members, has the potential to open up significant economic opportunities for under-represented social groups in this important market segment. The GPA's procedural requirements are designed to open markets: they help create transparent and fair procurement systems, and thereby ensure that WBEs are not kept in the dark about information relating to procurement opportunities. The WTO's GPA potential to enhance the participation of WBEs in international procurement markets and promote gender equality and good results for development should not, therefore, be overlooked.