Helping Businesses Sell to the Public Sector

Business operators will find more effective ways to do business with the public sector, when the province hosts a trade show on Thursday, Oct. 20, at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax.

Buyers from three levels of government, universities and colleges, school boards and health-care facilities will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Cornwallis Room to meet representatives of local businesses.

"This show is a great way for business people to learn about opportunities for increased sales to the public sector," said Ernest Fage, Minister of Economic Development, who will speak at the trade show at 1 p.m. "Vendors can meet public sector buyers and discuss issues one-on-one."

Eighty per cent of the $1 billion that the public sector spends annually on goods, services, and construction is purchased from Nova Scotia businesses. Mr. Fage said there is still room to grow and the province's Supplier Development Program is encouraging more Nova Scotia companies to sell to government.

The trade show is co-hosted by the Office of Economic Development and the Greater Halifax Partnership.

"Through our work with business, many companies identified a desire to be better acquainted with the public sector procurement process," said Greater Halifax Partnership president and CEO, Stephen Dempsey. "We are pleased to partner with the Office of Economic Development on this trade show and to help our local businesses learn and benefit from participating in the public sector procurement process."

Nova Scotia's Supplier Development Program helps small business learn how to bid on contracts for government goods and services and provides outreach services and community workshops on how to access business opportunities with government.

More information on supplier development can be found on the website at www.gov.ns.ca/tenders .