1. Iceland
1.1. SMEs in the national economy
SMEs in Iceland are significant actors in the “non-financial business economy”. They contribute to approximately three-fourths of total employment and more than two-thirds of value added.
1.2. National policy framework to support SMEs in public procurement
Considerations regarding SMEs are integrated into general public procurement policy, especially with a view to increasing competition in public procurement. Ríkiskaup, the central purchasing body of Iceland, urges contracting authorities to divide contracts into lots, except where proper justification exists, so that the size of the tender does not discourage SME participation.
Implementation of the e-tendering system, scheduled for 2017, as well as use of the European Single Procurement Document and e-access to databases to obtain certificates and attestations is expected to further standardise and simplify public procurement procedures.
1.3. Implementation mechanisms
Ríkiskaup hosts a conference biennially to inform economic operators and buyers about the latest changes in public procurement. It has also provided educational seminars about public procurement, which were organised by the Federation of Icelandic Industries. Ríkiskaup has also offered seminars on public procurement law in co-operation with the University of Iceland for both contracting authorities and economic operators. These events are not specially held for SMEs. However, as the majority of the business population in Iceland are SMEs, these events help increase visibility and understanding of the public procurement system and facilitate SME participation in public procurement.
Furthermore, in order to increase the participation of craftsmen’s enterprises in a framework agreement on craftsmen services, several visits have been made to their organised interest meetings.
1.4. Monitoring performance
As 99.8% of companies in Iceland are SMEs, there is no specific monitoring mechanism regarding SME participation in the public procurement market. In 2016, SMEs were awarded 91% of the contracts from Ríkiskaup in terms of number, which represented 90% in terms of volume.
Reference
[1] European Commission (2017), SBA Fact Sheets 2016, http://ec.europa.eu/DocsRoom/documents/22382.