Press Release

22/01/2009

Better procurement rules mean better public services and more opportunities. Malcolm Harbour MEP

"The EU can use its procurement rules to help improve public services whilst giving innovative small businesses new opportunities", Malcolm Harbour MEP said today after his report on pre-commercial procurement was adopted unanimously by the parliament's Internal Market Committee.

Public procurement accounts for 16 percent of the EU's GDP yet many public authorities are not using their resources to develop innovative solutions to social or climate challenges. Mr Harbour's report says that no new EU rules are needed, but that training, best practice networks and active support by governments will enable resources to be directed towards finding new solutions to old problems in such areas as healthcare, transport and climate change.

Mr Harbour said: "Public authorities spend vast sums of money on procuring outside services but rather than just throwing new money at old ideas, they can also encourage new and innovative solutions."

"We do not need new rules but the EU can promote exchanges of best practice between public authorities, and provide training for procurement managers."

"Small businesses are often the real innovators yet complex procurement rules can exclude them from public contracts. This gives public authorities a real chance to help innovative companies where it really matters - in supporting the development of new ideas into developed products and services. This is ever more important now, when SMEs cannot look to banks for support. Governments and the EU must embed innovation into their forward plans, to benefit our economies, generate long-term solutions and provide better services for the public."

For further information:
Malcolm Harbour MEP, Tel: +32-2-2845132
James Holtum, EPP-ED Press Service, Tel: +32-473-861762

Notes to Editors:
The EPP-ED Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 288 Members from all 27 Member States.