NI Finance Minister Peter Robinson has welcomed the launch of new guidelines on equality of opportunity and sustainable development, in the public sector contracting process, which could decide how £6bn worth of future projects are awarded.

The guidance has been developed by the Central Procurement Directorate, within the Department of Finance and Personnel, along with the NI Equality Commission, and was overseen by the Northern Ireland Procurement Board.

The result has been a document providing practical advice and case studies for policy makers and procurement professionals. 

The guidance will also support the delivery of the Programme for Government, in particular the two cross-cutting themes of a shared future for all and sustainability.



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Minister Robinson, speaking at yesterday's launch, said: "Public sector procurement expenditure by Northern Ireland Departments, their Agencies, Non-Departmental Public Bodies and Public Corporations, accounted for approximately £1.9billion of supplies, services and construction works in 2006 - 2007

."

"This figure will rise significantly in the next three years under the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland, which sets out a framework to deliver a further £6 billion of spend."

"The new guidance will allow us to integrate equality of opportunity and sustainable development objectives in the procurement process in support of the delivery of the Executive's priorities, as set out in the Programme for Government 2008 - 2011.

"

"Under the Northern Ireland Procurement Policy and EU Procurement rules, social, economic and environmental objectives can be integrated, as appropriate, within the procurement process. This guidance will assist policy makers and procurement practitioners in the integration of these objectives,"
 added the Minister.

(PR)