Corruption and a lack of transparency distort the potential benefits of trade. Public procurement also plays a major role in international trade, increasingly becoming part of regional, multilateral and bilateral Trade Agreements. Beyond the questions of market access, trade treaties are starting to set up rules to tackle transparency, accountability and regulatory standards. Too many and too varied rules add to the complexity of the business environment, and may undermine the transparency of the system.

WTO (World Trade Organisation)
The WTO’s work on public procurement is divided into three areas. First, a working group of all WTO members addresses transparency in government procurement. Second, a working party on GATTS Rules handles government procurement in services. Third, a plurilateral Government Procurement Agreement signed by some WTO members is administered by a plurilateral committee.

ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)

Free trade agreements

APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation)
- Government Procurement Experts' Group (GPEG)

MERCOSUR (Mercado Común del Sur)
- Treaty of Asunción