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What implications do you have tender in countries outside the EU?

International Tenders

Get into the world of public tenders outside the EU ... what an adventure. Yes, it may sound like hidden treasures, but it is not a walk in the park. There are juicy opportunities, of course, but also a handful of traps and messes that can catch worse.

To begin with, the legal issue is almost like learning another language. While in the EU everything seems to be millimetrically regulated under the famous public procurement directive, cross the border and suddenly each country has its own manual, sometimes written in hieroglyphs. If a company wants to launch the pool, it is better to soak up the local rules, because there are no shortcuts or “Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V” of legislation.

And then, the tender procedures are a true potpourri. There are countries that are face, with quite transparent processes, similar to what one would expect in the EU. But there are others where everything is handled between scenes, more closed than a safe. This is not just a technical detail: you can change the way you prepare the offer and the real possibilities of accepting it.

Speak of course: corruption and bribery are the elephant in the room in some corners of the planet. It is not because they are paranoid, but companies that are not covered may end up in legal trouble, with the reputation for the soils and sanctions of those that really hurt. So, beware of this and no strange shortcuts.

The cultural part and the language cannot be underestimated either. It is not just translating the document, it is to understand how business is done there, what they expect, how they negotiate. Sometimes it is worth having someone local, or at least one translator who not only understands the language, but also the indirect and cultural "winks."

And the theme of the currency, oh, the currency! Today the euro gives you a lot, tomorrow makes a hole in the budget. Fluctuations and economic crises are not science fiction, and can annoy until the best of plans.

Finally, logistics: that if you have to set up an office there, take equipment, handle suppliers to thousands of kilometers ... It is not just a matter of sending an email and ready. It is a challenge that, if it does not plan well, can leave you hung.

In summary, throwing himself out of the EU is tempting, but it is not for makeshift. You have to do your homework, investigate thoroughly and prepare for the unexpected. Because yes, it can go very well, but it can also cost you expensive if you are blind.

Marta Jiménez

Marta Jiménez

Expert in public procurement • Digital transformation of tenders • Trainer and author at Tendios

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