1. Access To Procurement Programme
International Enterprise Promotion Convention
Harrogate
8th - 10th November 2010

2. Introductions Joy Nichols MBE, QAEP, FRSA
CEO - Nichols Training Limited

3. Content A2P Project Aims Significance and Impact
Project Update – Key Milestones Achieved
Research Findings – Future Project Milestones
Conclusions
Question & Answer

4. A2P Aims
Base line research - Analytical work to review existing procurement legislation and practices, identify SME bottlenecks, generate strategic options for a SME support programme, and develop the training materials and other supporting documents.
Consultations with SMEs and Women’s Empowerment Groups through their relevant business associations took place to ensure that their views were accommodated and acted on.
Developing and overseeing Train-the-Trainer and SME training course to at least 100 local SMEs to test and refine the new training product; and ensure trainers have achieved required level of competency.

5. Stakeholders Stakeholders Government of Uganda (Gou)
Commonwealth Secretariat – Technical Assistance
Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) – Governance of Procurement
Strategic Partners
Enterprise Uganda
Private Sector Foundation Uganda
National Register of Provider – (PPDA)
Procurement and Disposing Entities (PDEs)

6. Significance and Impact ?
Demand side Led initiative – GoU / PPDA – Strategic “Buy In”
Delivered by SMEs for SMEs – “Localism” embedded
By design a targeted initiative which focuses on the needs of all SMEs globally
Aims to “Broker” – Researched Client Demand with “Qualified” Supply of SME Businesses
Initiative seeks to create greater opportunities for (SMEs) to effectively compete for the millions of Shillings / Dollars of contracts offered by major public sector and statutory bodies within Uganda

7. Project Milestones
Considerable amount of work has been undertaken thus far (MERR Methodology);
Mobilisation - To engage stakeholders and strategic partners
Methodology – Questionnaire and Focus group design and implementation agreed, Quality and training embedded
Engagement – Through Stakeholders and strategic partners SME Questionnaire / Sectorial Focus Group / PDE Questionnaire
Research Report – Findings collected, presented and validated, Conclusions and recommendations agreed. Deliver Strategic Plenary Session – Kampala October 2010

8. Introduction To The Research Findings
Extensive engagement through a holistic approach – multiple stakeholders
Evidence base to directly shape the future development of the A2P programme
4 elements considered -
Views of SMEs
Views of PDEs
Engagement of Intermediaries
Strategic “Buy In”

9. Barriers & Challenges Faced: SMEs
Businesses at all stages of the development life-cycle participated in completing the SME Questionnaire:
Key Findings - Ranked:
“Insufficient knowledge of the formal tendering process & contractor expectations”
“No feedback was made available about previous unsuccessful tenders”
“Lack of opportunity to meet the decision makers/buyers”
“My company is too small to service large contracts
“The procurement process is too lengthy ”
“Payment terms offered, not suitable”

10. Barriers & Challenges Faced: PDEs
Drive to Reduce the Supplier Base
SME Capacity
SMEs Lack of Knowledge
Already Engaging SMEs
Ongoing CPD of Procurement
Officers
Contract Size
Dissemination
Of Procurement
Plans

11. Future Project Milestones
Implementation - Deliver the Trainer of the Trainer Programme – Methodology ensures “Localism” embedded – Trainers identified through local intermediaries.
Implementation - Deliver the business support package to SMEs – Commence 22nd November Development and delivery ensures “Localism” embedded – Local Trainers deliver the training programme to local businesses supported by Nichols Training Limited 11

12. Conclusion
Whilst the A2P programme is accessible to and of benefit to all Uganda’s SMEs, it is by design a targeted initiative which focuses on the needs of all small and medium sized businesses globally. As research has informed us that once generic and specific barriers have been identified and solutions have been put in place to address these barriers, SMEs can successfully compete and deliver goods and services to the public sectors.

13. Questions & Further Information
Jerome Albarus – Managing Director
Head Office: Nichols Training Limited
95 Goldhawk Road
Shepherds Bush
W12 8EG