Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen said that the Executive was
determined to improve the opportunities for SMEs when dealing with
the public sector.
After meeting Iain Graham, chairman and CEO of Graham
Technology, today, Mr Stephen said: "At the Business in the
Parliament event earlier this year, Iain Graham focused attention
on the difficulties small, growing companies can face in competing
for government business."
He added that he agreed then that this was a serious issue.
"The Scottish Executive is determined to remove the barriers
which prevent many companies, particularly SMEs, getting better
access to contracting opportunities in the public sector,"
continued Mr Stephen.
The Scottish Executive is working with the Scottish Chambers of
Commerce, CBI Scotland, the Institute of Directors and the
Federation of Small Businesses to bring forward new procedures
which it expects to improve the public sector procurement
process.
Mr Stephen added that details of measures to improve access to
public sector contracts for smaller firms will be announced
soon.
