The Small Business Act

May 25, 2019 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

I have noticed that an editorial has been written in another section of the press concerning the many difficulties faced by the smaller contractors in our local economy. The real problem is the unwillingness of previous and this current administration, to face up to reality.
The author of the bill which became the Act knew full well in 2001 that there needed to be put in place a slew of enabling legislation so that his bill when passed as an Act of Parliament could have the desired impact in the local economy.
In November of 2015 he attended a procurement conference at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre and said exactly so. This was followed up by written information sent to the Ministers of Business, Finance, Public Infrastructure, Chairman of the NPTAB and CEO of the NPTAB. An acknowledgement came from the Chairman of the NPTAB followed by some consultations both with him and the Secretary to the Treasury. No further engagements ensued on the matter.
What has been needed is a different approach to our public procurement system, where we can mentor and also monitor small contractors as they progress. We would be able to watch them grow into bigger entities and the entire industry would become more competitive and sustainable.
All this adds up to better value for money for the State than exists at present. We can then rank contractors and make stipulations that even where larger contracts are concerned, the bigger entities must perforce, engage smaller entities up to 20% of the gross amount of their contract. They can do this at the tendering stage or they must have this done before signing of the contract.
This approach to public tendering should be able to favourably deal with minority contractors. In this category we would place women contractors, those in the hinterland, and those from depressed communities.
Politically speaking, this would be a fillip for those thus affected. But governments are dumb and essentially fail to view the real picture. Their agendas usually leave out those to whom they should really cater. If we regard Trump in the USA, he is seen mainly catering to the interests of those of his ilk and class. That’s the nature of the beast.
Editor, if we are truly working to help the small man in this nation then we need to really understand his plight and use all legislative means to help empower him.
Regards,
Cyril Walker

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