Every year a substantial part of public investment in our economy is spent through public procurement, accounting for more than EUR 1.9 trillion yearly or about 14% of Europe’s GDP, which makes it a major driver for economic growth, job creation, and innovation. On the grounds of its high economic importance, especially in construction, it offers a significant development opportunity, not only for large companies, but also for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
However, although SMEs make up about 99.8% of the enterprises in the European Union, they only win about 45% of the value of public contracts (either directly, as a joint bidder or a subcontractor), giving them a secondary role in public procurement.
EBC Annual Conference will focus on how to remove remaining barriers for SMEs’ access to public procurement to allow construction SMEs to play a more significant role in public contracts, given their important role as economic players, but also agents of social cohesion and integration. Particular attention will be put on the implementation of the Public Procurement Directive (2014/24/EU) in order to compare best practices and signal potential misinterpretations of the Directive in the different EU Member States. To have a look at the agenda, click here.
EBC Annual Conference will take place on 21st June, from 9:00 to 13:00 at Auditorium CNA Nazionale, Piazza Mariano Armellini 9/A, Rome.
Around 100 delegates and entrepreneurs from the construction sector of several European countries are expected to participate in this event.
The official language of the conference is English with interpretation provided in French, Spanish and Italian. The conference will be followed by a working lunch.
Please write to secretariat@ebc-construction.eu to register or for additional information.