INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUPPLIERS TO SELL TO THE PUBLIC-SECTOR

A one-day Purchasers' Showcase being held today in Saskatoon is aimed at increasing opportunities for Saskatchewan suppliers to do business with public sector agencies.

"We are committed to working with Saskatchewan businesses to increase opportunities for suppliers in this province to do business with government. Today's event builds on the work started when we released our discussion paper on procurement last month," Minister Responsible for SPMC Andrew Thomson said.

This first-time event has attracted more than 400 registrants and has by far exceeded organizers' expectations. The showcase offers suppliers an opportunity to meet with public sector agencies that want to buy goods and services from Saskatchewan suppliers. There will also be a series of workshops, including one on the discussion paper on procurement released in December 2002 and another introducing www.sasktenders.ca, a Web site where Saskatchewan tenders will be available free of charge.

Marty Klyne, president of the 2003 Grey Cup committee and the former president of the Regina Regional Economic Development Authority, will be the guest speaker at the luncheon.

"Saskatchewan businesses already win more than 80 per cent of the tenders issued through SPMC, but we believe there is more that can be done to support the businesses in our province," Thomson said.

Over the last three years, government has purchased more than $300 million in goods and services from Saskatchewan businesses, not including government spending on construction. The Purchaser's Showcase is part of SPMC's efforts to stimulate discussion about ways to improve public sector procurement for Saskatchewan businesses.

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For More Information, Contact:

Nadine Sisk Saskatchewan Property Management Corporation Regina Cell: (306)535-1930