Helping Businesses Sell to the Public Sector

Business operators will find more effective ways to work with the public sector when the province hosts a trade show on Friday, April 28, at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre.

Buyers from three levels of government, universities and colleges, school boards and health-care facilities will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to meet representatives of local businesses.

"This show gives local businesses a chance to meet public sector buyers one-on-one," said Kerry Morash, Minister of Economic Development. "Businesses in this province offer some of the best products and services in the world."

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. Morash said there is still room to increase that figure and that 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 Strait Highlands Regional Development Agency. It is part of a Business and Consumer Showcase hosted by the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce, with more than 90 local businesses participating.

"The partnership between business and government demonstrates why Nova Scotia is a great place to build an enterprise," said Blaine Gillis, CEO of the Strait Highlands Regional Development Agency. "Partnering with the Office of Economic Development on this trade show helps our local businesses learn and benefit from participating in the public sector procurement process."

Nova Scotia's Supplier Development Program helps small businesses 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 .