The second meeting of the Specialised Committee on Government Procurement under the Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) and Japan for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership (“the Agreement”) took place on 19 November 2024 via videoconference hosted by Japan.

The meeting was participated by the representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Digital Agency (DA) on the Japanese side and from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the UK Cabinet Office (CO) and British Embassy Tokyo on the UK side to exchange information on matters related to the implementation of Chapter 10 (Government Procurement) of the Agreement.

1. Opening remarks and introduction

Both sides welcomed holding the Committee meeting and expressed their expectation to enhance their understanding each other through productive communication regarding their respective government procurement system.

2. Adoption of the agenda

The enclosed meeting agenda was adopted.

3. Information sharing

3.1 Public notice of intended procurement in Japan, including publishing timelines and technical documentation

In response to the questions from the UK regarding the public tender notice of intended procurement through the single point of access, Japan explained how Japanese procuring entities publish tender notices and how to deal with changes to the content of the tender notice indicated in intended procurement after the intended procurement has been published in line with the Agreement and the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Japan also explained that, in October 2024, MOFA issued an administrative notification to all the procuring entities covered by Chapter 10 of the Agreement to ensure publishing tender notices in an appropriate and timely manner under the provisions of the Agreement and the GPA.

3.2 Digital Marketplace in Japan

Japan made a presentation on the Japanese Digital Marketplace (DMP) launched in 2024. Japan explained that DMP is conformed with the international agreements including the Agreement and the GPA, and that the DMP will not affect the UK’s existing rights and obligations under those international agreements.

Japan also explained that through the DMP, procuring entities, which are central and sub-central government and public entities of Japan, will be able to easily search for pre-registered cloud software (SaaS) and its support services, and then select the most suitable service by the best matching on the DMP catalogue website, so that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups will be also able to respond as bidders.

The UK asked whether foreign companies would be able to bid using the DMP and Japan explained that they would be able to do so if they followed the prescribed procedures and got registered. The UK stated that DMP is an area of interest in relation to the UK companies including SMEs.

3.3 Procurement Act 2023 and other updates

The UK gave an explanation on the UK’s Procurement Act 2023, which is due to come into force in February 2025. The UK presented the new features of the Act and confirmed that there should be no particular concern for Japanese suppliers as the provisions of the Act are consistent with the Agreement and the GPA.

The UK also explained that specific regions or countries are not targeted under the exclusions and debarments provisions and that these provisions rather target at suppliers unfit for public procurements due to serious misconduct or threats to national security. The UK stated that the debarment list will be published on the UK government website.

Japan requested the UK to respond to questionnaire, which Japan would send to the UK based on discussions at the Committee meeting, and to have a technical follow-up meeting. The UK side accepted these requests.

4. Closing remarks

Both sides expressed their appreciation to the participants for having the productive discussion and confirmed their intention to continue to promote mutual uderstanding and to advance close partnership through the follow-up meetings.

5. Agenda

1. Opening remarks and introduction

2. Adoption of the agenda

3. Information sharing

• public notice of intended procurement in Japan, including publishing timelines and technical documentation

• digital marketplace in Japan

• Procurement Act 2023 and other updates

4․ Wrap up

5․ Closing remarks