North-East Firms Secure Role In £350 Million Harbour Expansion

A series of Aberdeen City Council events has been hailed a success after 15 local companies' secured contracts as part of the £350m Aberdeen Harbour expansion.

The Council hosted three Meet the Buyer events on behalf of Dragados, the construction group leading the development, highlighting the scope of the work that is required and focusing on how local businesses can join the supply chain.

The successful companies have secured contracts for services ranging from traffic management and the supply of quarry materials through to health and safety training.

Meet the Buyer events are regularly hosted by Aberdeen City Council to maintain and develop relationships with north-east suppliers, benefiting the local community and showcasing commitment to the future of the region.

Aberdeen City Council transport and regeneration spokesman Councillor Ross Grant said: 'It's fantastic that local businesses are benefiting from one of the largest transformation projects taking place in the city.

'The Aberdeen Harbour expansion will have a significant role to play in the city's future, supporting the existing role as a global energy hub and encouraging diversification and expansion in areas such as tourism. Internationalisation is a key component of the Regional Economic Strategy and this development is crucial to fulfilling those aims.

'The Meet the Buyer events support businesses as they grow and evolve, helping them to play their part in major projects, and in turn boost employment in the Aberdeen city region - all impacting positively on the economic future for the region.

'I would encourage businesses within the region to explore the potential of Meet the Buyer events either to demonstrate opportunities for partnership working or to seek new business prospects.'

Dragados Project Director, Jose Enrique Perez, said: 'Dragados UK value these events very highly and considers them essential to creating dialogue between ourselves and the local supply chain.

'All three Meet the Buyer events were very well attended, allowing us to explain the project to the supply chain and in return they made us aware of the goods and services they provide.

'The sessions allowed representatives of the supply chain to present themselves to the Dragados procurement team and this has proved very fruitful for both sides.

'There has been a good degree of follow-up business arising from the initial contact made at the Meet the Buyer events.'

For further information contact Alison Simpson on 01224 523174 or email ASimpson@aberdeencity.gov.uk