A new online resource provides information on public sector tendering in the Highlands and Islands - and helps remove the barriers which prevent small firms gaining access to contract opportunities.

This 'sub-threshold' contract information service is delivered by Highland Opportunity - the Highland Council's enterprise trust and has been developed by European Business Services in partnership with other local public agencies.

The site contains information on the purchasing policies, procedures and contacts in each of the partner agencies, as well as background to procurement rules - and links and leads to associated sites and publications.

The site also provides an alerts service informing businesses of tender advertisements. Across Scotland, 96 public sector organisations have updated the site and, to date, more than 30,000 e-mail alerts have been sent to small firms.

Link to publictender website