A new initiative to support suppliers has been launched by Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce.

“D-Biz” is designed to help suppliers secure more contracts both locally and nationally.

It will provide a mix of events, the opportunity for knowledge transfer, signposting, mentoring and one-to-one support for businesses.

Damon Scott, chief executive of the chamber, said: “We are really excited about some of the potential D-Biz could create for local businesses.

“We will provide access to contracts available in Dunbartonshire via our website and other communication channels so businesses should make sure they sign up to our D-Biz emailing list to receive updates and opportunities.”

The initial D-Biz activity will see the chamber providing support for the procurement of a landscape maintenance contract for Strathleven Regeneration CIC in the Vale of Leven.

The programme was developed after their project director, Steven Szostak, reached out to Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce to provide a support mechanism for local contractors hoping to submit tenders.

Steven told the Reporter: “We are a local development company and we want to work to improve the local economy in every way we can.

“If we can harness local talent and keep income here to the benefit of West Dunbartonshire’s local economy then that has to be a very good thing for the area.”

As well as promoting SRCIC’s tender, the chamber will provide expertise at a free awareness and advice session for the contract at Strathleven House on August 27 at 10am.

Damon added: “We have an excellent track record of engaging with businesses, attracting around 1000 guests to our events across the year.

“We are confident that this, combined with the specialist knowledge that we have within the chamber, will help make the D-Biz programme a real success.

“We are delighted that one of our group of “chamber experts”, Shiona Campbell of BDS Ltd, will lead the awareness and advice session which is designed to help local businesses strengthen their tender submissions.”

D-Biz will also be used as a platform to run a business-to-business “Shop Local” campaign to encourage and enable more Dunbartonshire businesses to trade with each other.

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Businesses can sign up to attend the awareness and advice session and get the latest information about D-Biz activities and other opportunities by visiting dunbartonshirechamber.co.uk or by emailing Admin@DunbartonshireChamber.co.uk.