DTI accused of holding back over procurement promotion

The Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) has been "holding back" in promoting better procurement practices, a leading industry source has claimed.

A lack of simple procurement information on the ideal process and a lack of wanting to change the industry's culture are among the accusations made.

"What is needed is for the DTI to show the way for clients, especially the small and occasional clients, by stating very clearly, very loudly and very simply what the ideal procurement process looks like," the source said.

Questioning the DTI's commitment as a supporter of the Confederation of Construction Clients' Client Charter, the insider continued that DTI should be urging repeat clients to join the scheme as "quickly as possible".

"It could in fact use its clout to insist that all public sector clients are signed up to the initiative in the next five years," he added. "However, true leadership has never been a strong point of officials at the DTI.

DTI was unavailable to comment.