{"id":6657,"date":"2026-06-26T09:12:49","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T08:12:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/public-procurement\/?p=6657"},"modified":"2026-06-26T09:58:52","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T08:58:52","slug":"world-sme-day-supporting-scotlands-small-businesses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/public-procurement\/2026\/06\/26\/world-sme-day-supporting-scotlands-small-businesses\/","title":{"rendered":"World SME Day: Supporting Scotland\u2019s Small Businesses"},"content":{"rendered":"

World SME day\u00a0gives us the opportunity to recognise the contribution that small and medium-sized enterprises make to our economy,\u00a0communities\u00a0and public services.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SMEs\u00a0are critical\u00a0to the social,\u00a0economic\u00a0and environmental health of Scotland.\u00a0They drive innovation, create jobs, support local\u00a0communities\u00a0and bring specialist\u00a0expertise\u00a0to every sector. From technology start-ups and manufacturing to social enterprises and family-run firms, SMEs are helping to shape Scotland’s future.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This year’s World SME Day is an opportunity to recognise the significant work being undertaken by the Scottish Government to ensure SMEs have greater access to public sector opportunities and can play\u00a0a central role\u00a0in delivering\u00a0products and\u00a0services across the country.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Breaking\u00a0down barriers<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Scottish Government\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>Annual Report on Procurement Activity in Scotland 2023\u20132024<\/span><\/a>\u00a0highlights the scale of this impact.\u00a0Public sector procurement\u00a0spend\u00a0reached \u00a317.5 billion, with \u00a39.5 billion spent with suppliers based in Scotland.\u00a0<\/span>Importantly, SMEs\u00a0are at the heart of this activity<\/span>\u00a0with\u00a0\u00a37.6 billion spent with SMEs\u00a0which\u00a0amounts to 47.6% of all reported procurement spend where business size was known.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Procurement activity is also opening doors to a wide range of businesses.\u00a0More than 17,300\u00a0suppliers were awarded contracts\u00a0with SMEs\u00a0making up\u00a078% of these and of that 60% were Scottish SMEs.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the most\u00a0notable\u00a0developments\u00a0was the\u00a0publication of the Scottish Government’s first\u00a0<\/span>SME and Third Sector Procurement Action Plan<\/span><\/a>\u202fin\u00a0April\u00a02024.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Developed following extensive engagement with industry partners and stakeholders, the Action Plan aimed to reduce barriers that can prevent smaller organisations from accessing public contracts. It focused on improving opportunities to enable participation, strengthen collaboration and ensuring procurement processes are designed with SMEs and third-sector organisations in mind along with increasing innovation.<\/span><\/p>\n

This matters because smaller businesses often bring innovation,\u00a0agility\u00a0and specialist\u00a0expertise\u00a0that larger suppliers can struggle to match. By creating a more accessible procurement landscape, Scotland is helping ensure that public sector contracts are open\u00a0a more diverse\u00a0range of businesses.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It also matters because widening access to procurement helps strengthen local economies and support community wealth building. When smaller and third-sector organisations secure public contracts, more of that spend stays within local areas,\u00a0supporting jobs, strengthening supply\u00a0chains\u00a0and creating wider social value.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking\u00a0ahead<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

World SME Day is\u00a0ultimately about\u00a0recognising the entrepreneurs, business\u00a0owners\u00a0and employees whose hard work helps drive prosperity and resilience across our communities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The latest procurement figures show that Scotland is not only acknowledging the importance of SMEs but\u00a0also\u00a0taking practical steps to support them. Through targeted procurement policies, action plans designed to remove barriers, investment in innovation and a commitment to inclusive growth, the Scottish Government is helping create an environment where SMEs can thrive.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For SMEs looking to take advantage of public sector opportunities, a wide range of support is available.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n