Ulster Unionist Economy spokesperson, Sandra Overend, has welcomed the unanimous backing of the Assembly for an Ulster Unionist motion calling for more opportunities within the public procurement market for small and medium sized enterprises and the social economy.
The Mid Ulster MLA said;
“‘Today the Ulster Unionist Party received the unanimous backing of the Assembly for a motion calling on the Finance Minister to ensure there is sufficient access to public procurement opportunities for small and medium sized enterprises and the social economy.’
‘I took the opportunity during the debate to set out some of the issues which small business has with current procurement processes including unnecessary bureaucracy, inconsistency in how contracts are tendered and the importance of ensuring that the voice of small business is heard at the right time, and in the right fora, so they are able to influence policy and reform effectively.’
‘I also noted the work which is on-going in a European context through the modernisation package consisting of three Directives as well as the advances being made in other devolved regions. If we are serious about keeping in step with, and even leading, the rest of the UK and the EU in how we reform public procurement, then continuous development and improvement is necessary.”