Selling Goods and Services to Government

The province is helping Yarmouth-area businesses sell more goods and services to the public sector.

Buyers from municipal, provincial and federal governments, universities, colleges, school boards, and health authorities will meet with local business operators at a trade show on Tuesday, Nov. 20, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rodd Grand, 417 Main St., Yarmouth.

"Nova Scotia is home to many small businesses that offer excellent goods and services," said Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Economic Development. "These trade shows help them to grow by connecting with public-sector purchasers who are looking to purchase more Nova Scotia products."

The show will help vendors learn how to increase sales by selling to government. They can meet buyers face-to-face to exchange information on products and services.

Eighty per cent of the $1 billion that the public sector spends annually on goods, services, and construction is purchased from Nova Scotia businesses.

The trade show is co-hosted by the Department of Economic Development and the Yarmouth Community Business Development Corporation.

"We're happy to be co-presenting this great opportunity for Yarmouth-area businesses with Economic Development," said Chris Atwood, executive director of the Yarmouth Community Business Development Corporation. "I urge all small businesses in the Yarmouth area who have considered selling to the public sector to attend and learn more about public procurement."

The province's supplier development program encourages Nova Scotia companies to sell to government. It helps small-business operators learn how to bid on government tenders and provides outreach services and community workshops on how to access business opportunities with government.

For more information on supplier development, see the website at www.gov.ns.ca/tenders/supplierdevelopment> .