CONTRACTS worth over £150million are set to go to tender and Glasgow firms are being urged to get involved.

The latest pipeline for the £1billion City Deal infrastructure programme – funded equally by the UK and Scottish Governments – will be formally launched at an online event on June 8.

It includes major schemes planned for Glasgow, such as transforming Custom House Quay and work to regenerate Cowlairs.

Local companies and small/medium sized firms should attend the event to find out what support is on offer, council bosses say – with opportunities to bag contracts or subcontracts available.

Council leader Susan Aitken, who also chairs the City Region cabinet, said local companies have benefitted from contracts worth £110m to date.

She added: “This event will give our partner councils the chance to engage with the business community at different stages of project timelines to tell them about upcoming contract opportunities.”

Details of upcoming contract opportunities across the Glasgow City Region, which is made up of eight neighbouring councils, including Glasgow City, will be revealed at the event. Representatives from the councils will be on hand to discuss projects.

Iain Stewart, UK Government Minister for Scotland, welcomed the contract pipeline launch “as these schemes will bring many jobs to the area”.

He said: “Communities should benefit from start to finish from government projects, so I encourage the region’s businesses to take full advantage of this latest round.”

Kate Forbes, Scotland’s economy secretary, said: “This is a great opportunity for local businesses. Contracts awarded through the Deal will contribute to the region’s economic recovery by creating jobs, and providing the commercial infrastructure to support and attract businesses to Glasgow and surrounding areas.”

A new regional strategy for sustainable procurement and community benefits will also be launched at the event and work has started on a capital investment plan for the City Region, which will show planned investment for public sector agencies over the next three years.

Cllr Aitken said:  “We are determined that decisions we make in procurement will address inequalities and climate change, benefit local communities and, vitally, provide opportunities for local businesses.”

The region has “big asks” of businesses who win contracts, she said. “To work more closely with us to open up supply chains to support local SMEs; to deliver community benefits that really make a difference – that help young people, communities and those that need it most; and to support work in climate change and reducing emissions.”

The Meet the Buyer event is in partnership with the Supplier Development Programme (SDP), which supports Scottish SMEs with tendering.

Gillian Cameron, from SDP, said: “Meet the Buyer 2021 is the event of the year for supplier engagement with buyers, particularly as the public sector turns towards economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Businesses can raise their profile, learn about upcoming opportunities and be “supported every step of the way”, she said.

Firms interested in taking part have until Friday, June 4 to register at www.sdpscotland.co.uk/events-mtb/

The Glasgow City Region sessions will run from 2pm on June 8. To view the contract pipeline, go to www.glasgowcityregion.co.uk/procurement