The public sector is responsible for managing the supply of goods and services to and from the government.

In Wales alone there are over 100 public sector organisations, whilst across the UK, the public sector employs over 25% of the workforce. Public sector bodies include:

• central government departments and agencies
• the NHS and its local trusts
• the Ministry of Defence
• the Welsh Assembly Government, the Scottish Executive and the Northern Ireland Assembly
• local authorities
• universities and colleges

The Welsh Assembly Government has committed to streamlining the procurement process and all public sector bodies within Wales are encouraged to use sell2wales for tendering. As a result, Welsh public sector tenders won by Welsh companies has risen dramatically from 35% to 49% in only two years.

Supplying the public sector

No matter what services or goods your business provides, there is most likely a market for it within the public sector. You’ll find that public sector bodies make excellent customers as they are:

• stable clients who prefer long-term relationships
• honest in the way they do business
• reliable payers, normally paying within a 30 day term
• currently spending over £3billion a year on goods and services in Wales
• making purchasing decisions based on value for money, not just lowest cost  

For more information, read abouthow to sell to the public sector.