500 more MSMEs eyed for government contracts

THE Public Procurement Commission (PPC) is seeking to bring more than 500 new micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) into the government procurement system this year, but says businesses will first have to demonstrate they are able to meet the requirements for bidding on public sector contracts.

About 200 suppliers have so far been verified as the commission works towards its target, according to PPC Executive Director Nadia Morris.

The initiative forms part of a wider effort to expand the pool of smaller businesses able to compete for government contracts, with the PPC also working alongside the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Jamaica Business Development Corporation, and Development Bank of Jamaica to improve the procurement readiness of MSMEs.