Learning to do Crown business

The provincial government and its Crown corporations do billions in business annually, and that can mean opportunities for local businesses to fill those needs.

Thursday some 20 Yorkton business people learned a bit more about how to access potential government business through an information session hosted by the Ministry of the Economy.

Scott Summach, Corporate Procurement Committee Chair told those attending the event at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall, that they hold "four meetings annually around the province."

The events include a business meeting for the Committee including a chance for those involved to discuss local suppliers they already work with.

"And then we invite the local business community to come out," said Summach, adding what takes place "is our version of speed dating."

Various Crowns, SaskPower, SaskEnergy, SaskTel, and others have procurement staff attending the sessions. Local business people have an opportunity to meet with each to briefly tell what it is they might offer in the way of producers and services.

Summach said it is a chance for local business "to see how to do business with government."

In terms of business the opportunity is large. Summach noted that SaskPower does the greatest procurement at about $1 billion annually, about 71 per cent ($590 million) with Saskatchewan businesses. He added part of the reason for holding events like the one in Yorkton is to hopefully grow the business done within the province.

Summach estimated about half of those attending the session had never done business with a Crown, adding "they're just coming to learn how to do business." He explained there is a process of registering as a potential supplier, and that then gives business access to the central SaskTenders website where all Crowns post their requirements.