It is expected that public procurement will become more flexible and simpler as a result of the adoption of the new Public Procurement Law, in effect as from 1 May 2006. By adopting the Public Procurement Law, Latvia has implemented the directive 2004/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 on the co-ordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts. The Public Procurement Law has replaced the Law on Procurement for State and Municipal Needs, effective as from 1 January 2002.
The overall goals of the Public Procurement Law are simplification, modernisation and flexibility of public procurement in order to ensure that the procurement rules are effective, user-friendly, provide the right set-up for getting value for money and ensure fair and equal competition. It is likely that this has been achieved by greater clarity of the law, introduction of new procurement mechanisms and enhanced
