Supporting Our Local Small and Medium Businesses To Be a Procurement Priority

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP has today announced that 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 as part of the NSW Government’s plan to boost local businesses.

Mr Ward said that the NSW Government’s Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) and Regional Procurement Policy will provide a boost to our regional economy in the wake of droughts, devastating bushfires on the South Coast and now COVID-19.

“The policy also provides a ‘Small Business Exemption’ to give local businesses an opportunity to cut through red tape and government processes,” he said.

“It allows Government departments to buy directly from small businesses for any purchases up to $50,000 even if there is a mandated whole-of-government contract in place.

“I am pleased that this policy is a positive step forward for local small businesses, which have faced the challenges of drought, devastating bushfires and now the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is great that Government departments will give first consideration to the excellent local tradies, businesses and shops across our region when it comes to procuring goods and services,” Mr Ward said.

“There has never been a better time for Government departments to look locally when it comes to spending procurement dollars.

“This will assist our local small businesses across the Illawarra and South Coast region as they recover from all of the economic challenges of 2020.

“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,” Mr Ward concluded.

For more information on the SME and Regional Procurement Policy, please go to: https://buy.nsw.gov.au/policy-library/policies/sme-and-regional-procurement-policy.

To access Business Connect specialist procurement support, please visit the website at: www.business.nsw.gov.au/businessconnect.