Brussels, 19/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission wants to find out why the granting of public contracts is not making use of modern technology to put calls for tender online. At a public hearing to be opened by EU Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier, some 200 participants will discuss possible measures at EU level on Thursday 25 November to encourage online processing of public contracts. Three workshops will examine: - the potential benefits of online public tender; - barriers to explanation like lack of technical interoperability and lack of standardisation at EU level; - and the cross-border prospects for public tender. The public hearing is part of a consultation process on a Greek Paper published last month that will end on 31 January 2011 (see EUROPE 10238). (M.B./transl.fl)