Spanish
Santo Domingo. - The implementation of a "green purchasing" policy and the adoption of the environmental criteria established in the new Law 47-25 on Public Procurement represent an economic opportunity for the country, said Kathia Mejía, executive director of the National Network of Business Support for Environmental Protection (Ecored).
During his participation in the Public Procurement Forum, Mejía highlighted that the State's sustainable acquisitions can be an economic engine that encourages business innovation and opens up new market niches for suppliers with responsible practices, which is not only an environmental commitment, but also a mechanism of economic competitiveness.
In the panel "Green Purchases: connecting public policies with sustainable development", Mejía explained that, if the State prioritizes products and services with sustainability criteria, a multiplier effect is generated in the value chains, stimulating investments, employment and development of capacities in local companies.
He stated that, however, the sustainable offer, although existing, faces a "glass ceiling" in public procurement: the lack of homogeneous criteria and the exclusive prioritization of price are the main barriers.
Among the challenges faced by companies are technical limitations in public administration, as many purchasing committees lack training to evaluate attributes such as carbon footprint or energy efficiency.
In addition, he said that sustainable products often have higher initial costs that bidding documents do not recognize despite future savings in energy, water, or health. There is also regulatory fragmentation that creates insecurity and makes it difficult for companies to size the potential market.
“To overcome these barriers, Ecored proposes three lines of action, the first, a robust regulation and clear criteria are needed to mandatorily incorporate sustainability in high-impact sectors, homologating recognized certifications, such as ISO 14001 and Energy Star; second, training programs for public buyers must be created and practical manuals with concrete examples must be developed.
He added that incentives should be created for innovation in the market, such as a national catalog of sustainable suppliers and recognition for institutions that lead in green purchasing.
The director of Ecored concluded that green purchases should not be seen as an additional cost, but as a smart investment. "By leading with sustainable criteria, the State not only reduces its environmental impact, but also sends a clear signal to the market: that innovation, efficiency, and corporate responsibility have value," Mejía pointed out.
The panel "Green Purchases: connecting public policies with sustainable development" was moderated by María del Pilar Peña, in charge of inclusive and sustainable purchases at the DGCP, and had as panelists, in addition to Kathia Mejía, the specialists Iván Cruz and Rosanna Arias.
This was carried out with the aim of reflecting on the transformative role of public procurement for the economic, social, and environmental development of the Dominican Republic, through the new Public Procurement Law 47-25.
