Selling to Government in Northeastern Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia suppliers want a bigger piece of the $1 billion governments spend on goods and services in Nova Scotia every year, and government is helping them get it.

On Tuesday, June 21, the Antigonish and Guysborough regional development authorities are co-hosting the latest in a series of reverse trade shows.

Municipal, provincial and federal governments, hospitals and school boards will be at St. Ninian Place on the St. Francis Xavier campus from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to meet with suppliers.

Rather than local businesses, manufacturers or service providers holding a trade show to introduce potential buyers to their products, the roles are reversed -- the buyer is holding a trade show for potential suppliers to find out what goods and services they need.

"The province is working with Nova Scotia suppliers to help them increase access to business opportunities and improve competitiveness," said Justice Minister Michael Baker, on behalf of Economic Development Minister Ernest Fage. "One way we are helping is through initiatives of the Supplier Development Program such as reverse trade shows."

Nova Scotia businesses currently get about 80 per cent of the $1 billion that the public sector spends each year on goods, services and construction.

This program is making suppliers more aware of the opportunities to buy and sell locally. Reverse trade shows were held in four regions of the province this year, where they introduced hundreds of suppliers to procurement procedures. Suppliers also had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with potential buyers. Shows were held in Amherst, Cornwallis, Stellarton, and Sydney. Plans for the coming year include shows in Yarmouth, Truro, Bridgewater, Port Hawkesbury and Halifax.

Reverse trade shows are only one component of the Supplier Development Program. The program also provides outreach services and community workshops on accessing procurement opportunities, among other initiatives.

For more information on the June 21 trade show, suppliers can contact either the Antigonish Regional Development Authority or Guysborough Regional Development Authority.

For information on the Supplier Development Program and public sector procurement, see the Office of Economic Development website at www.gov.ns.ca/tenders .