NLIS 4
October 25, 2005
(Innovation, Trade and Rural Development)
 

More sessions held to strengthen local supplier community

The Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, in keeping with its Supplier Development initiative announced earlier this year, recently held three supplier development sessions; one in Marystown and two in Labrador. The workshops, which were developed in partnership with the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME), included presentations from key public sector procurement specialists from the federal, provincial and local levels, and were designed to develop the province�s local supplier community.

�The feedback provided by participants at each session has been very positive,� said Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. �These sessions are beneficial to the many companies and organizations that want to participate more fully in the public sector purchasing process. I encourage all interested parties to watch for and attend upcoming workshops in your region.�

The Marystown session was held on October 6, and was attended by representatives from 20 companies and organizations. Wabush and Labrador City held a session on October 12, with 20 participants in attendance. Happy Valley-Goose Bay�s session was held on October 13, and was attended by 10 representatives. Informal networking was offered after each session, with participants taking advantage of the opportunity to meet one-on-one with public sector purchasing agents. Future sessions are being planned for other locations, including the Northern Peninsula, the west coast and the Clarenville area.

The Supplier Development Initiative is a partnership of the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters. It is designed to strengthen the relationship and understanding between public sector purchasing agents and private sector groups and thereby facilitate the development of our local supplier community.

"CME has advocated for government to work with the local business community to strengthen our ability to compete in public procurement. This supplier development initiative, along with the changes made to the Government Purchasing Agency last year, has been a substantial step forward," said Bill Stirling, vice president of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, Newfoundland and Labrador Division.

The following purchasing groups presented at the recently-held workshops (please note that not all groups presented in all locations):

  • Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters;
  • Government Purchasing Agency;
  • Department of Transportation and Works;
  • Public Works and Government Services Canada;
  • College of the North Atlantic;
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation;
    Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro;
  • Labrador Grenfell Regional Integrated Health Board;
  • Town of Marystown;
  • Town of Wabush;
  • Town of Labrador City;
  • Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay;
  • Serco.

Media contact: Lynn Evans, Communications, (709)729-4570, (709)690-6290

2005 10 25                          10:40 a.m.


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