GLOSSARY TERM
	World Trade Organisation on Government Procurement
	DESCRIPTION
	The World Trade Organisation Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO GPA) came into force on 1 January 1996. It applies to government procurement of goods and services (including construction services) above certain thresholds referred to as 'special drawing rights' or SDRs. For construction services, the relevant threshold is 5,000,000.00 SDR. Hong Kong acceded to the WTO GPA on 20 May 1997 and is a continuing member in the name of 'Hong Kong, China' following Reunification. As a result, any contracts procured at or above the threshold limit for construction services by the Government (including non-government public bodies such as the Housing Authority, Hospital Authority, Airport Authority and MTR Corporation) are subject to compliance with the WTO-GPA rules.