Government Agencies have been called on to consider buying goods and services up to $250,000 from small, medium or regional businesses as part of a Government plan to boost local business.
Announced by the Minister for Regional NSW, John Barilaro the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) and Regional Procurement Policy aims to provide a boost to regional economies in the wake of droughts, bushfires and COVID-19.
Mr Barilaro said now was the time for Government Departments to look locally when it came to spending procurement dollars to assist SMEs and regional businesses in recovering from the economic impacts of the pandemic.
“What we are saying to NSW Government departments is instead of looking to Sydney, where possible give first consideration to the excellent local tradies, businesses and shops in a local regional community when it comes to procuring goods and services,” Mr Barilaro said.
Minister for Finance and Small Business, Damien Tudehope encouraged Agencies to consider engaging suppliers from regional areas.
“We want government departments to be aware of these opportunities and to think about the excellent SMEs and businesses in regional areas they could procure goods and services through,” Mr Tudehope said.
“Businesses can also access free independent business advice to build their capability to supply goods and services to government, through the NSW Government’s Business Connect program,” he said.
Mr Tudehope said the SME and Regional Procurement Policy also provided a ‘Small Business Exemption’ to give local businesses an opportunity to cut through red tape and Government processes.
He said it allowed Departments to buy directly from small businesses for any purchases up to $50,000 even if there was a mandated whole-of-Government contract in place.
Further information on the SME and Regional Procurement Policy can be accessed on this PS News link.
