The Saudi Ministry of Finance has introduced a new training program aimed at identifying irregular practices in government tenders. The initiative, called “Detecting Collusion in Government Tenders,” began on December 21 and is part of the ministry’s efforts to improve spending efficiency and uphold integrity and fair competition within public procurement processes.
According to the ministry, the program is a result of cooperation between its Financial Skills Center and the General Authority for Competition. The goal is to build participants’ skills so they can recognize, address, and report collusive behavior in government tenders.
“The program is part of the joint cooperation between the Financial Skills Center and the General Authority for Competition, as they seek to build participants’ capacities and provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to detect collusive practices in government tenders, combat them, and report them, thereby contributing to spending efficiency and competitive fairness.”
Training modules are designed to increase awareness about different forms of collusion, highlight their risks, and help participants understand how such practices can negatively affect tender outcomes. Participants will also learn about factors that lead to collusion, methods for prevention, and legal procedures for dealing with violations.
“The training modules develop participants’ awareness of collusion concepts so they can distinguish between its types, recognizing its risks and negative impacts. The training also helps participants identify the factors leading to its occurrence, apply effective methods to limit it, and implement the necessary legal and preventive procedures when any non-compliant practices are detected in government tenders.”
The ministry stated that this program continues the Financial Skills Center’s ongoing work to strengthen specialized financial expertise within government agencies. It aims to support a more transparent tendering system that promotes higher quality public spending.
“This initiative is an extension of the Financial Skills Center’s efforts to develop specialized financial skills and support a government tendering system that is more efficient and transparent, thereby enhancing the quality of public spending.”
