44 federal and 50 regional executive offices, more than 300 municipal contractors, and nine natural monopolies were contesting, says Andrei Sharonov, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade.
The contest aims to promote government purchasing tenders. Ever more are held, and they have turned into the routine from an exotic arrangement they were fairly recently. The number of tenders has skyrocketed from 22,000 of four years ago to a present-day 68,000, and the amount of related government purchases from 120 billion roubles, roughly US$4 billion, to 450 billion roubles.
Many contracts are, however, made bypassing tenders.
Mr. Sharonov pointed out major flaws of tender terms and practical patterns. Natural monopolies are the worst culprits, he said.
Government contract tenders spectacularly save budget money-10.7% at the federal level and 6% at the regional last year alone. The world's best-developed countries are saving 20% or even more.
Russia, with its vast opportunities to enhance efficiency, ought to develop the lucrative arrangement, Sharonov is sure.
Contest winners made the greatest number of contracts and saved the biggest sums.
