Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has welcomed the announcement of the NSW Government’s new Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) and Regional Procurement Policy.
The policy was announced on Friday by Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Finance Minister Damien Tudehope, and will ensure government agencies need to first consider buying goods and services from a small, medium or regional business for all direct procurements up to $250,000.
With regional areas being victims of drought, COVID-19 and in some cases bushfires, Mr Saunders has lobbied hard to see the policy introduced and said he is committed to ensuring the NSW Government promotes regional businesses.
“It’s vital that we continue to support regional businesses in whatever way we can. We have been spreading the ‘buy local’ message to our residents and, as a government, we need to do the same,” Mr Saunders said.
“The quality of services provided by companies based in the bush is just as good as anything you will get in the city, and as we work our way out of drought and the COVID-19 pandemic we need to support regional NSW as much as possible.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said now is the time for government departments to look locally when it comes to spending procurement dollars to assist SMEs and regional businesses in recovering from the economic impacts of COVID-19.
“What we are saying to NSW Government departments is instead of looking to Sydney, where possible give first consideration to the excellent local tradies, businesses and shops in a local regional community when it comes to procuring goods and services,” Mr Barilaro said.
“We want SMEs and regional businesses to be front-of-mind when departments are considering which supplier to engage.”
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope encouraged NSW government agencies to consider engaging suppliers from regional areas.
“We want government departments to be aware of these opportunities and to think about the excellent SMEs and businesses in regional areas they could procure goods and services through,” Mr Tudehope said.
“Businesses can also access free independent business advice to build their capability to supply goods and services to government, through the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.”
For more information on the SME and Regional Procurement Policy, go to https://buy.nsw.gov.au/policy-library/policies/sme-and-regional-procurement-policy
To access Business Connect specialist procurement support visit www.business.nsw.gov.au/businessconnect