Law 49 of 2016 on Public Procurement. Country/Territory Kuwait Document type Legislation Date 2016 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject General Keyword Framework law Business/industry/corporations Capacity building Contract/agreement Dispute settlement Equity Internal trade International trade Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Monitoring Offences/penalties Procedural matters Public participation Public private partnership (PPP) Geographical area Asia, Middle East, Near East and North Africa, Persian Gulf, Western Asia Entry into force notes This Law enters into force 6 months after its publication in the Official Gazette. Abstract This Public Procurement Law, encompassing 96 articles organized into eleven Chapters, is designed to enhance transparency, fairness, and competitiveness in the tendering process, ensuring the efficient and effective utilization of public funds. A primary objective is to foster fair competition and prevent discriminatory practices in procurement. The Law mandates public advertisement of all procurement activities, enabling broad participation in bid submissions. Additionally, it stipulates that bid evaluations must adhere to objective criteria outlined in the tender documents. This comprehensive legislative framework governs the procurement of goods, works, and services by the Kuwaiti government, executed through the Central Agency for Public Tenders (CAPT) and its affiliates. Applicable to all government entities, including ministries, public institutions, and public sector companies, the law also extends to private sector firms awarded contracts by government entities, surpassing a specified threshold set by the Law. The Public Procurement Law underscores transparency and accountability in the procurement process, requiring public availability of all procurement documents, including tender documents and evaluation reports. The Law establishes a Procurement Board to oversee compliance and resolve disputes. It outlines penalties for violations. Additionally, the law promotes efficiency by mandating timely procurement activities, awarding contracts to the most economically advantageous bids, and encouraging electronic procurement systems. Specific regulations apply to the oil sector and the Ministry of Defence. The Law supports SMEs by requiring a percentage of government contracts to be awarded preferentially to Kuwaiti SMEs. The emphasis on technology, including electronic tendering systems, represents the Kuwait's efforts to streamline procurement processes and reduce administrative costs, contributing to a more competitive and dynamic procurement market. Full text Arabic Website pas.gov.kw