The Bilbao Policy Forum
Bilbao hosted our first policy forum from 20-21 October 2005. The event focused on what policy action is needed in response to the question 'how can the health sector boost local procurement in order to support the competitiveness of local small and medium-size businesses?'
Supporting local small and medium-size businesses to become competitive in bidding for health service contracts is a key contribution that the health sector can make to regional development. But good practice and innovation will not spread across our regions unless policy makers apply their experience to creating a supportive policy and legislative environment.Policy makers can open the door to help their regions realize the potential that comes from procurement not only purchasing high quality supplies and services for the health sector but also contributing to vibrant local businesses.
So participant faced three key challenges (i) being clear what policy action needs to happen in partner regions and at the EC (ii) identifying whose responsibility it is to deliver these actions (iii) create some clear messages that can be used to promote The Bilbao Agenda!
The Bilbao Agenda [pdf]
(137 KB)