The Ministry of Economics found no grounds for canceling or revising planned and already initiated state procurements that were subject to a large-scale review initiated by the government. The review was conducted in accordance with a decision made by the Cabinet of Ministers on August 25. At that time, all ministries and subordinate institutions were instructed to analyze large procurements to assess their necessity, feasibility, and compliance with the requirements for effective budget spending. This concerns contracts for the supply of goods and services worth over 140,000 euros, as well as construction procurements costing at least one million euros. The government recommended paying special attention to procurements in the field of information and communication technologies. The Ministry of Economics reported that the review covered both the ministry itself and its subordinate institutions — the Central Statistical Bureau, the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA), the State Construction Control Bureau (BVKB), the Consumer Rights Protection Centre, and the Latvian National Accreditation Bureau. It was found that the Consumer Rights Protection Centre and the National Accreditation Bureau do not conduct or plan any procurements that fall under the established financial thresholds. The remaining projects were evaluated according to uniform criteria developed by the Procurement Monitoring Bureau. The necessity of the procurements, the justification of expenses, the proportionality of requirements for potential suppliers, and the ability to ensure sufficient competition were reviewed. The ministry emphasized that when conducting state procurements, it is necessary not only to comply with legal requirements but also to create conditions for the widest possible competition. This approach, according to the ministry, helps avoid unjustified increases in the cost of goods, services, and construction works. As a result of the review, the Ministry of Economics concluded that all the procurements under consideration are justified and necessary for fulfilling the functions of the ministry itself, as well as the Central Statistical Bureau, the State Construction Control Bureau, and the Latvian Investment and Development Agency. Thus, the ministry sees no reason to abandon previously planned or already initiated projects, despite the government's review of state expenditures.
