The public procurement market across the island of Ireland represents a significant economic opportunity, estimated at €21 billion/£18 billion. This week, InterTradeIreland held discussions with Ministers to explore how public procurement, social value and a greater focus on sustainability can create opportunities for near-shoring supply chains. The discussions also highlighted how initiatives like the Go-2-Tender and Supply Chain programmes align with shared policy goals to grow indigenous businesses, boost productivity and encourage market diversification. The Ministers endorsed the Go-2-Tender programme as a key strategic component to help engage more businesses in cross-border supply chains.
The Go-2-Tender programme is now in phase nine and having assisted over 1,100 businesses during the period 2021 – 2024, offers a specialist series of workshops, masterclasses, and bespoke one-to-one mentoring. The programme covers essential topics such as understanding the public procurement process, how to access public procurement opportunities and practical tips to businesses on how to structure and write winning bids. It allows businesses to embed tendering as a strategic business process.
This comprehensive approach equips SMEs with the confidence, knowledge, and practical skills needed to increase their success rates in public sector tenders across the island of Ireland. The workshops are proudly supported by the Office of Government Procurement, Construction and Procurement Delivery, and the Strategic Investment Board.
Speaking at the launch, Finance Minister John O’Dowd said:
The Go-2-Tender programme is a valuable initiative in helping to engage more businesses in public sector work and supply chains. Public procurement presents a significant economic opportunity for our local businesses and plays an integral role in boosting productivity and supporting employment.
Over 95% of the total number of registered businesses in the North are small and micro enterprises and my Department is committed to continued collaboration with InterTradeIreland, ensuring these businesses are not just aware of cross-border opportunities but also equipped to compete and succeed in them.
John O’Dowd, Finance Minister
InterTradeIreland this week announced the relaunch of the next phase of its acclaimed Go-2-Tender programme. This essential support initiative is designed to assist SMEs across the island of Ireland in securing public sector contracts – both locally and cross-border. InterTradeIreland has helped businesses to transition through various periods of economic change such as BREXIT and Covid. Its role is as important as ever, amidst the threat of ongoing global economic uncertainties. Businesses across the island who develop cross-border trading relationships have found sales into the opposite jurisdiction to be a vital buffer against external economic shocks. That’s why InterTradeIreland is continuing to link businesses and support them as they seek to maximise cross-border public procurement opportunities.
The public procurement market across the island of Ireland represents a significant economic opportunity, estimated at €21 billion/£18 billion. This week, InterTradeIreland held discussions with Ministers to explore how public procurement, social value and a greater focus on sustainability can create opportunities for near-shoring supply chains. The discussions also highlighted how initiatives like the Go-2-Tender and Supply Chain programmes align with shared policy goals to grow indigenous businesses, boost productivity and encourage market diversification. The Ministers endorsed the Go-2-Tender programme as a key strategic component to help engage more businesses in cross-border supply chains.
