92002E3333

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3333/02

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(26 November 2002)

Subject: Women-owned businesses' access to public procurement

Is the Commission aware that there is currently no document available on the access of women-owned businesses to public procurement?

Does the Commission intend to undertake any research into this issue?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(8 January 2003)

The Commission is grateful to the Honourable Member for drawing its attention to the apparent absence of any document available on the access of women-owned businesses to public procurement within the Union.

Over the past few years the Commission has endeavoured to improve the data available about public procurement in general, and for procurement covered by the relevant Community Directives in particular, and to make it more freely available.

Currently, further research is being carried out to investigate the access of small and medium sized enterprises to public procurement and a panel study is being started with the aim of comparing cross border procurement, procurement price trends and the use of social or environmental clauses in procurement contracts. These studies should provide further information which may be useful to women-owned businesses interested in access to public procurement opportunities within the Member States.