WIREDGOV

Boost for Scottish business.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon recently welcomed a decision by European Ministers to adopt new procurement legislation aimed at simplifying public procurement and improving access to public contracts for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs).

The directives, which have already been adopted by the European Parliament, will replace existing European legislation passed in 2004.

Members States will have two years to implement – or transpose – the directives into national law.

Ms Sturgeon said:

“We’re very proud in Scotland of the advances which we have already made, in partnership with industry, to develop the Scottish Model of Procurement. We intend to approach the implementation of these directives in Scotland in exactly the same spirit of partnership and co-operation.

“These directives offer significant potential to improve the way the public sector in Scotland does business. The legislation agreed by European Ministers will provide Scotland with numerous policy choices to create a procurement framework that is right for Scotland, giving greater opportunity to Scottish businesses and ensuring that public contracts are better able to support sustainable and socially and environmentally responsible firms.

“It’s important that we make the right choices for Scotland, and so we will consult fully on these options over this Summer, with a view to bringing forward new regulations next year, well ahead of the deadline set by the EU”.