Public procurement – international agreements with India and Iraq: SPPN 4/2026

Purpose

The purpose of this Scottish Procurement Policy Note (SPPN) is to advise of changes to Scottish procurement legislation to implement the UK's international agreements with India and Iraq.

Key points

Bidders from India and Iraq will be afforded the full rights set out in the procurement regulations in relation to contracts covered by the UK’s agreements with those countries.

Background

The Republic of India and the UK signed a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on 24 July 2025.

The UK also signed an Agreement on Partnership and Co-operation with the Republic of Iraq on 14 January 2025.

Both of these agreements contain chapters which deal specifically with public procurement and set out agreements on coverage.

The Scottish procurement regulations were amended with effect from 31 December 2025, so that the agreement with Iraq is included in the list of relevant International Trade Agreements contained in Schedules to the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, the Concession Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2016 and the Utilities Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2016. Amendments to insert the agreement with India are expected to enter into force on 24 March 2026.

Summary of changes to Scottish Regulations

Suppliers from the Republic of India and the Republic of Iraq will be entitled to the same equal treatment as Scottish suppliers when bidding for contracts which are covered by these agreements. They will also be able to bring legal action on the same basis as Scottish suppliers. 

The above mentioned changes will apply to procurements that start on, or after, the date on which the agreements come into force.

Dissemination

Please bring this SPPN to the attention of all relevant staff, including those agencies, non-departmental public bodies and other sponsored public bodies within your area of responsibility.