Research by the Department of Energy and Public Works has found that small to medium businesses are reaping the rewards of the new public sector procurement targets.
Minister for Procurement, Mick de Brenni said that under the Unite & Recover plan, Government Agencies were required to spend at least 25 per cent of their procurement dollars with Queensland small to medium enterprises (SMEs).
“We not only met that target, we smashed it,” Mr de Brenni said.
“We achieved 28.53 per cent in the last six months of 2020, putting $2.67 billion back into the pockets of Queensland small businesses.”
He said the increase had been driven by a higher investment across building, construction and maintenance; transport infrastructure and services, and communication technology.
Minister for Small Business, Di Farmer said the procurement targets were just in time to help small businesses to get through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That money certainly helped keep smaller operators open for business and Queenslanders working,” Ms Farmer said.
“It’s just so important our small businesses get their fair share of Government procurement because that drives increased investment and employment.”
She said that during the recent Small Business Roadshow she had heard “loud and clear” that small businesses welcomed the procurement policy.
“They’re also keen for us to do more to help them understand and participate in the Government tender processes,” Ms Farmer said.
“We are always looking for ways to make it easier to do business and we have funded Chamber of Commerce and Industry officers across the State to assist small businesses with Government procurement processes.”
