Efficiency in public procurement in rural road projects of Nepal

Type Working Paper - World Bank Policy Research Working Paper Series
Title Efficiency in public procurement in rural road projects of Nepal
Author(s)
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2011
URL http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1895965
Abstract
Transport infrastructure is important for economic growth. In Nepal, about 20 percent of rural residents have to spend more than 3 hours to go to the nearest marketplace or agriculture center. Public procurement is an important policy instrument to use resources wisely and efficiently. This paper analyzes a series of policy questions, from procurement design to contract management and project quality assurance. The paper finds that the competition effect is significant. To enhance competition, bidding documents can be distributed free of charge on a website. The bid preparation period can be extended. Security issues are also found to be particularly important to avoid unnecessary cost overruns and project delays. Heavy rainfall and the bidders' low-balling strategy are identified as other factors of project delays. The quality of roads would deteriorate with not only security incidence but also time, precipitation and traffic volume.

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