Pembrokeshire's Contract Shop will be holding a business breakfast inviting local businesses to learn more about the benefits of participating in their local inter-trading initiative on November 28 at the Wolfscastle Hotel.
Contract Shop is a nationwide cohesive network which has been set up to encourage inter-trading between local businesses. The aim of the scheme is to support effective business networking by introducing local suppliers to buyers, not only generating new opportunities for local businesses to buy and sell, but also encouraging inward investment to strengthen the local economy.
Already proving successful throughout Wales, Contract Shop was launched in Pembrokeshire last May by PBI. It has continued to receive interest and support from the local business community boasting some 200 members since its formation and has successfully provided contract information and a networking service to local businesses.
The extensive database available for local companies to help them find goods and services within the area, also offers the opportunity to promote their own goods and services through the nationwide Contract Shop Web site. The aim is to save time for the buyer searching for suppliers, making it easier and often cheaper to purchase locally.
The way forward is to develop the local network of both buyers and suppliers within Pembrokeshire. With major companies in both the private and public sector coming on board, Contract Shop can provide information on forthcoming contracts and tenders, and raise awareness of opportunities and potential trade that exists locally.
"I have been inundated with calls from Pembrokeshire businesses who are very enthusiastic about the trading prospects that the Contract Shop brings," commented Debbie Hanney, Pembrokeshire's PBI Contract Shop co-ordinator. "We are encouraging local businesses to join us at the breakfast which is a run up to the public sector procurement 'Meet the Buyer' event in February 2003 followed by the private sector 'Meet the Buyer' event in February 2004. These events will enable local businesses to receive information about how to tender for local contracts within Pembrokeshire which we hope will boost the local economy and subsequently benefit all local businesses."
The breakfast offers an opportunity for all local businesses to learn more about Contract Shop and to gain an insight into the public and private sector procurement process. Guest speakers will be Alan Jones, WDA development executive, and procurement officers from both the private and public sectors.
For more information, please contact Debbie, 01646 696626 [email protected]">[email protected].