UNICEF, like many other international agencies does procurement for all its activities in Copenhagen or Dubai, because it is cheaper. No account is taken of the huge number of small enterprises everywhere in Africa which folded – or never grew -- because of this decision, and the massive unemployment which followed. UNICEF says it is because it is a humanitarian agency, not really a development body. Yet alongside, UNDP and others are busily saying that they are developing.
After the volcano I had a hard time getting permission to have school desks made locally, even though there was no shortage of wodd, carpenters, or saw mills.
However, we should also be a little honest also - sometimes, local procurement is not doing a lot for the locals, because we procure from big Lebanese or Indian compaies, which are actually exploiting their workers (but do provide a cheaper price).
Room for a bit of ethical thinking here, I think. .
1 comment:
My locally procured desk, produced by local labour, is so full of woodworm that after 12 months I need to have it burned and buy another one. I'm in favour of local procurement, but it does have disadvantages! Oh, the drawers don't close properly, either...
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