Moscow, 1 October 2003. The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation has praised the procurement practices of RAO "UES of Russia" based on telecommunications and internet-technologies, specifically the e-commerce platform "B2B-energo" and the information system to support tenders and auctions "TZS Elektra".

The Protocol of the Conference/Presentation "System of Competitive and Regulated Non-competitive Procurement of Products, Goods, and Services for the Needs of RAO "UES of Russia", signed a few days ago by the First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Andrey Sharonov, states that the technologies used in the B2B-energo procurement system helps enhance the information value and market transparency, promote cooperation, develop new forms of competitive procurement, cut organization expenses, and shorten the time needed to procure the necessary goods and services.

The Ministry officials said it would be advantageous to implement e-procurement and e-information systems similar to B2B-energy and TZS Elektra in other industries, too.

RAO "UES of Russia" has been requested to make another presentation of its e-commerce systems to the Federal Energy Commission of the Russian Federation.

Since B2B-energo went live in October 2002, RUB400 million worth of goods and services have been procured through the system. Transition to e-commerce platform will help cut procurement costs by 50% and bring down the prices of goods and services by 5-30%.

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