In light of recurring incidents of misrepresentation of product origin in government procurement projects leading to illegal activities and national security concerns, the Agency Against Corruption (AAC) convened a meeting “Preventing Misrepresentation of Product Origin in Government Procurement” on August 9th, 2024, to enhance the professional knowledge and skills of government employee ethics officers and to support central and local agencies in strengthening risk management within procurement processes.

The meeting was chaired by Director-General Feng Cheng of the AAC and featured invited representatives from the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office, the Public Construction Commission of the Executive Yuan, the Customs Administration of the Ministry of Finance, and the Civil Service and Ethics Office of the National Immigration Agency, Ministry of the Interior. Discussions centered on cases of misrepresentation of product origin in government procurement, focusing on perspectives such as “criminal investigation practices,” “procurement procedural requirements,” and “preventive measures.” Additionally, representatives from the International Trade Administration under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Keelung Customs of the Customs Administration, and various government employee ethics officers participated in an exchange of views to raise awareness and professional expertise among ethics personnel on issues related to product origin. This initiative aims to reinforce oversight during procurement processes, providing timely procedural advice and recommendations on critical procurement matters, particularly those involving national security and public interests.

Strengthening ethical management and implementing effective risk controls within government agencies are crucial aspects of the current national integrity agenda. President Lai Ching-Te, upon assuming office, emphasized the goal of “clean and competent governance to establish an open and transparent government.” Following his appointment, Premier Cho Jung-Tai chaired the 28th meeting of the Central Integrity Committee on July 15th, 2024, encouraging the government to “continuously refine various approaches to gain public trust and meet the public's expectations.” Minister of Justice Cheng Ming-Chien also underscored the importance of a “prevention-first approach, supplemented by anti-corruption efforts."

The AAC will continue to oversee and support government employee ethics units in refining their professional expertise and fulfilling their responsibilities in supervising government procurement processes. By emphasizing “prevention first and procedural reminders,” the AAC aims to assist agencies in mitigating illegal procurement risks, thereby meeting the public’s high expectations for a clean and competent government.