OREANDA-NEWS. September 17, 2010. The Leningrad Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (OFAS Russia) and the Leningrad Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed a Co-operation Agreement. The Agreement was signed at the extended session of the Council of the Leningrad Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry devoted to the Programme for Developing Competition in the Leningrad Region in 2010-2012, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

The Leningrad OFAS Russia has been actively working with the Leningrad Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry for over two years: jointly with the Chamber it organized the State Procurement Council; representatives of the Leningrad Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry are members of the Public Advisory Council at the Leningrad OFAS Russia. The Cooperation Agreement between the Chamber and the regional antimonopoly body will not only strengthen already established relations but will also enhance efficiency of implementing a unified economic policy throughout the region.

Earlier the Leningrad Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed similar Agreements on Cooperation with the regional Government and the Prosecutor’s Office, the North-West Customs Office, the “Council of Municipalities of the Leningrad Region” Association and other bodies.

Discussing joint plants and initiatives, participants also covered such issues as prospective development of competition in construction, innovations as well as services sectors. The most important item on the agenda was practical enforcement of the Law on State Procurement. Participants of the extended session unanimously confirmed that the normative act is insufficient, particularly for state procurement of services.

Vadim Vladimirov, the Head of the Leningrad OFAS Russia, explained that the main issues related to state procurement are associated with insufficient knowledge of the current legislation by state and municipal customers. “For the law to be functional, we need to learn how to use it. As soon as state customers learn how to competently draw up the required documentation, effectiveness of the law will enhance dramatically. At the same time FAS Russia welcomes any reasonable legislative initiative”, stated Vadim Vladimirov.