Chief Executive Officer of the Small Business Bureau, Dr Lowell Porter, on Tuesday confirmed that the way had been cleared for the full and effective implementation of the provision in the Small Business Act of 2004 for the allocation of 20% of government contracts to local small businesses.
While there had been an earlier announcement by Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin that the initiative would go ahead from January next year, doubts had subsequently been raised arising out of public comments made about the need for the National Assembly’s intervention to ensure that the clause in the Small Business Act that allows for the 20% allocation, was in keeping with the Procurement Act. When asked about the issue at a media briefing held by the Bureau on Tuesday, Porter confirmed that the way had been cleared for the full implementation of the provision with effect from January 1.
