The World Trade Organisation's negotiations on government procurement concluded successfully after the Parties of the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) reached an agreement on an updated set of tender rules and additional market access commitments. In total, 15 Parties, with the European Union counting as one Party, made commitments to expand market access that they offer to foreign companies.

The agreement reached by the Parties of the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) taking part at the World Trade Organisation's negotiations on government procurement means that the Parties open up their domestic public procurement markets to foreign bidders. With the world currently facing economic turbulence, and temptations to increase barriers not reduce them, the GPA Parties showed their commitment to international trade. Having open and transparent rules on procurement is the best way to achieve value for money for government expenditure as it optimises competition. The Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) is a plurilateral treaty with 15 parties: Armenia, Canada, EU, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Korea, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands with respect to Aruba, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei, United States.

Among the achievements reached at the negotiation, the EU reached on the agreement more transparent rules for international public procurement. These rules are broadly similar to the EU's procurement rules, known for their fairness and clarity. In addition, the agreement implies new market access opportunities. The EU and U.S. expanded access to their central level entities, including important US Federal agencies. Canada offered access to procurement of its Provinces and Territories. Korea provides access to railway and urban transport procurement and Japan offered access to Public private partnerships and construction projects. Israel committed to phase out its offsets schedules and to lower its construction thresholds. The Commission already consulted on this topic in June 2011, concretely on the access to the procurement markets of other trading partners.

On the other hand, thanks to the new agreement, it will be new accessions and benefits for developing countries. The new text facilitates future accessions of other WTO members, including China and developing countries. Moreover, the Parties agreed on work programmes that address issues such as sustainable procurement, support for small and medium enterprises and monitoring of exclusions and restrictions.