Foshan City’s Civil Affairs bureau reports that 57 city-level social organizations have met the qualifications for government contracting of services. But none of the 57 are public service organizations. Instead they are trade associations such as the Foshan Ceramics Association and the Foshan Construction Association.
These trade associations have been around longer and carried out projects with the local government and therefore have a better chance of being approved by the local government. In contrast, public service NGOs, especially those with no government background, have not been around as long and have little contact with local authorities. Some public service NGOs did inquire and apply but were not chosen. Other NGOs interviewed said they did not know what the application process was or what the qualifications were, suggesting that local authorities need to do a better job of publicizing information about the government procurement process.
