WHAT action can be taken to support Manx businesses and protect island jobs?
That was the focus of a series of questions raised in Tynwald.
David Callister MLC suggested there should be a policy that all government contracts are first advertised in the island and off-island contractors and suppliers sought only when local companies cannot be secured.
But Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK rejected the idea.
He said: ‘Government must strive to strike a balance between supporting the local economy and achieving best value for money for the taxpayer.
‘Therefore, I could not at this time sanction a policy that would prevent off-island suppliers from competing fairly with local suppliers for government contracts, as I do not believe this would necessarily be in the best overall public interest.’
In a separate question, Castletown MHK Richard Ronan asked Economic Development Minister John Shimmin MHK what steps he was taking to support the interests of indigenous Manx businesses in the face of an influx of large UK retailers – a clear reference to the move by Tesco to open a store in the island’s former capital.
Mr Shimmin replied: ‘Whether we like it or not, a large percentage of our population do support these businesses, and indeed to deny them an element of choice would actually be against the wishes of an element of our society.
‘However, we do have to make sure there is a balance, and that is important to try and retain as many local independent businesses on our island in our town centres.’
The minister said one of the most important and increasing threats to the retail trade was internet shopping.
Mr Ronan suggested the island needed a ‘more proactive’ economic and planning policy that was in the long-term interest of the Isle of Man and not ‘large UK retailers and developers, who see us as a sponge bag’.
But Mr Shimmin said protectionism wasn’t the answer: ‘In order to provide residents and the visitor economy with the levels of choice they demand and expect, we should see at times UK retailers and developers as being part of a solution, not necessarily always a problem.
Questions were also asked about why Manx contractors hadn’t secured the contract to fit out the kitchens of the new high school at Bemahague.
Education Minister Peter Karran (Lib Van) explained the main kitchen contract was awarded to UK specialist Stellex Limited although the contract for the staff kitchen was awarded to B&B Furniture Limited, based at Snugborough.
Howard Quayle MHK (Middle) said: ‘Other schools have had their kitchens fitted out by local Manx companies. I do not see how this school is any different.’
Mr Karran said the contract was awarded back in April this year and the winning tenders were ‘significantly lower’ than those of the other contractors that had bid for the work.
