Welcome
Since the publication of the Review of Public Procurement in Scotland in 2006, the Scottish Government and the Public Procurement Reform Programme have been taking steps to ensure that Scottish suppliers have the best possible opportunity to compete on a level playing field. Work is ongoing to ensure that Scotland has a competitive supply base and public procurement is open to innovation and encourages businesses.
Spending on goods and services in the public sector amounts to around £8 billion a year, SMEs are well placed to win a share of this business and have an important role to play in delivering these products and services. The recent Budget Bill which Scottish Government published for 2009-10 stated that thousands of small businesses will pay no business rates from April, which falls in line with council tax being frozen for a second year. Both go to show the commitment that the government is offering SMEs.
"SMEs are the life blood of the Scottish economy. They represent 99% of all enterprises and 53% of all employment in Scotland.”
Jim Murphy, Secretary of State for Scotland
Not only is support being offered by the public sector, business associations across Scotland are increasing their support for SMEs through engagement programmes, business consortiums and clubs.
The recently formed BusinessClub Scotland will ensure that the country’s business community capitalises on its exposure from the forthcoming Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Suppliers attending the conference will hear from the Procurement Centres of Expertise on the opportunities within the public sector and the steps being taken within the public sector. Information on the funding and support available to SMEs will be provided from business support organisations across Scotland including: the Supplier Development Programme, BusinessClub Scotland, CBI SME Council, Small Business Consortium and Business Gateway.
Why attend?
In the current economic climate, businesses need to maximise their exposure to new opportunities and the assistance available to them, this event will provide all the information you require.