Guy Helps Swazi in Parliament
Otaki MP Nathan Guy met with Swazi owner Davey Hughes in Parliament today, facilitating a meeting with Minister of Defence Hon Wayne Mapp to discuss issues resulting from a lost sub-contract.
"We had an extremely constructive meeting and I'm confident that there is a greater understanding of the type of considerations that need to be given to New Zealand companies vying for Government contracts.
"The key point is the playing field needs to be fair," Mr Guy says.
Last week Swazi announced it had lost a sub-contract from an Australian company, Yakka, which had been awarded a Defence Force contract under the previous Labour-led Government.
"The situation is unfortunate, especially as there is nothing this new Government can do until the contract expires next year. There are over 110 suppliers within New Zealand that are sub-contracted with Yakka.
We are reviewing the Government's procurement policies and ensuring New Zealand companies are in the mix.
"At last week's successful Jobs Summit it was agreed that further investigation was required in adapting Government procurement to boost local suppliers, to establish a fund to support productivity initiatives in firms and to review and expand export assistance schemes," Mr Guy says.
"They are all good outcomes from the Summit that will help Swazi, as well as other local businesses going forward."
Mr Guy has made a commitment to keep an open line of communication with Swazi and the Government.
Nathan Guy, Davey Hughes and Hon Dr Wayne Mapp