The Ministry of Industry and Trade together with the Fiji Trade Commission Los Angeles and Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (PRUN) will host the United Nations procurement division business and vendor registration seminars in Fiji.
The Attorney General and Minister for Industry and Trade, Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum highlighted that the seminar would be conducted by the United Nations Procurement Division (UNPD) in Suva and Lautoka between July 18 to 22.
“The objective of the seminar is to brief vendors on the procurement activities for example values, policies, processes, buying profile and business opportunities of the UNPD and to register qualified vendors on-line by the close of the seminar. Registered vendors will then be able to bid to supply goods and services to the United Nations,” he said.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum believes the seminar will provide an excellent opportunity for Fiji and the regional countries to become potential suppliers to the UN offices or missions in Fiji or overseas.
Fiji’s Trade Commissioner to the Americas, Mr Jitendra Singh said the first of the two seminars would be held in Suva on July 18 and 19 followed by Lautoka on July 21 and 22. The Suva and Lautoka seminars are open to regional participation.
According to the Trade Commissioner, in 2010, the United Nations procured around US$13billion worth of goods and services.
“It is intended that regional participants will join Fijian delegates at the seminars. In the afternoon, an on-line registration fair will start for vendors wishing to supply goods and services to the United Nations and virtually in any part of the world,” Mr Singh said.
Registration and participation will be free of charge at both seminars.
Major commodities the United Nations procures include air transportation services, chemical and petroleum products, food rations and catering, prefabricated buildings, motor vehicles parts and transportation equipment, electronic data processing equipment and maintenance, telecommunications equipment and services, rentals and leases, architecture, engineering and construction services, freight forwarding and delivery, air conditioning, heating, and plumbing services, building management and maintenance, generator sets, travel and related services, security and safety equipment services.
“The relevant vendors who meet the UN’s buying profile in the above categories are encouraged to attend the seminar and register themselves. Qualified vendors will also have an opportunity to register online before the seminar,” Mr Singh added.
Details of the seminar and vendor registration guidelines will soon be released by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.