It's a pleasure to have you here again.
Many people over the years have stated that SMEs represent the backbone of our economy. Without small business, where would we be? Small business is innovative. Small business is flexible. Small business can adapt to change very quickly.
I'm going to focus a number of my questions on the relationship between your ministry and the opportunities and/or problems that have occurred and/or possibly the recommendations and the changes that you have made to affect SMEs in the process of procurement. Given my experience in my own particular field--thirty years in small business--I hope to be a representative voice for that community in directing my questions along that line.
This is my first concern and/or a question, which I'm hoping you can answer, Mr. Minister. In your process of procurement, how can you assure the small-business community and the SMEs that they actually have enhanced or increased opportunities to participate in the process?