Business News

Local SMEs Get New Business Support Service

A new local procurement initiative has been launched to assist micro and small to medium sized enterprises in the London Thames Gateway in supplying their product or skills to other firms across the region.

East London Business Place (ELBP) aims improve the prospects for the region's SMEs by matching them up with buyers and helping them compete for and win contracts with corporate and public buyers as well as major developers. The scheme's services include a dedicated ‘Supplier Development Officer' in each of the 10 London Thames Gateway boroughs, offering free one to one advice to buyers and suppliers, as well as access to a database of local suppliers of goods and services for competitive contracts.

The initiative is a public/private partnership funded by the London Development Agency (LDA) together with Canary Wharf Group plc and East London Business Alliance. It is derived from Canary Wharf Group plc's established Local Business Liaison Office. This has a longstanding and strong track record of business procured, and will link with a range of LDA funded business support initiatives such as Business Link London, Supply London and CompeteFor to build on its range of advice and guidance for small to medium sized enterprises.

Aman Dalvi, Chief Executive of Gateway to London said: "This initiative will provide a valuable resource for London Thames Gateway's SMEs, enabling them to compete for major business contracts across the region. This will benefit local supply chains and help businesses to grow and create new jobs, whilst highlighting the development of London Thames Gateway and its burgeoning business offer."

ELPB has also launched a free programme of events designed to improve the competitiveness of SMEs. These can be viewed at www.elbp.co.uk