The NSW government has proposed procurement targets to boost government ICT spending on small to medium businesses.
The targets, set to be introduced from April 1, would see 30 per cent of ICT procurement spend going directly to SMEs and 25 per cent of all procurements over $3 million directed towards SMES.
The recommendations were made by the ICT and Digital Sovereign Procurement Taskforce which was set up last year.
Other recommendations, to be announced later this year, are set to benefit start-ups, Aboriginal-owned, disability and regional enterprises.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello says the recommendations recognise the pivotal role SMEs can play in the state’s economic recovery from bushfires and the pandemic.
“Demand for technology solutions is only going to increase and the tech workforce is only going to get bigger, and we want SMEs to remain at the forefront,” Mr Dominello said.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said this would open up more opportunities for small and medium businesses.
“This is all about making it easier for SMEs in the ICT sector to do business with government, as well as supporting the economic conditions to ensure NSW remains at the cutting edge of innovation and technology he said.
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