Monday 11 January 2021
The Committee for Economic Development wants to direct more of the work procured by the States towards local firms.
The ambition is to redirect some of the millions of pounds each year that currently go to off-island businesses towards those in the Bailiwick.
The States of Guernsey spends around £200m a year with suppliers and other providers delivering goods, works and services in support of providing public services and developing infrastructure. Around 57% of this spend is deployed locally and benefits local businesses. However, the Committee for Economic Development believes that more could be done to support local businesses in competing successfully for States' business and, in doing so, keep a greater share of taxpayers' money in the local economy.
Over the course of this year, the Committee will be working with Procurement, Communications and other officers within Economic Development to improve access to opportunities, help equip local suppliers to respond better, and proactively identify and develop categories of spend that can be sourced locally. It is thought that small changes in process, proactive engagement with industry and some targeted sector development could help redirect millions of pounds worth of business to Guernsey's private sector.
Similarly, the Committee is looking at how it can support local businesses to improve their applications when tendering for contracts with the States. This could be through a combination of making the online tendering portal more user-friendly and providing clearer guidance as to what is expected from those applying.
Deputy Steve Falla, Vice-President of the Committee for Economic Development said:
"There seems to be a genuine opportunity here for us to give more work to local businesses and, in doing so, support our local economy. We have more work to do to figure out how best this can be achieved, so it's early days, but I am keen that we work fast and begin to see changes this year. This could be a real quick-win as we look for ways to support our economic recovery following the major impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic."
The States is keen to hear from local businesses who believe they operate in sectors where the States could buy locally (this should be substantive business i.e. not simply transacted locally and then subcontracted) or sectors which could be localised with the help of some targeted sector development (e.g. recruitment of key skills). Businesses are encouraged to email their suggestions and any other contributions to procurement@gov.gg.
