Show Helps Businesses Sell Goods, Services to Government

The province is helping Lunenburg 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 Wednesday, April 30, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wandlyn Inn, 50 North St., Bridgewater.

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

"Small businesses make a significant contribution to Nova Scotia's economy," said Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Economic Development. "The connections our small-business owners make with public purchasers at the trade shows, provide opportunities for growth and market expansion."

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 Lunenburg-Queens Regional Development Agency.

"We are fortunate to have this event visit our area as it's an extraordinary business opportunity," said Neil Emenau, executive director for the development agency. "Networking with some of the biggest purchasers in the province and learning about what they buy will be of great benefit to local businesses."

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 .