THE recession-hit small business community in Suffolk is to be brought into contact with potential customers in an attempt to kick-start a recovery. A “Meet the Buyer” event, jointly organised by Suffolk County Council, the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, the Ipswich and Suffolk Small Business Association (ISSBA) and Forest Heath District Council, is being staged in Ipswich on June 16.

THE recession-hit small business community in Suffolk is to be brought into contact with potential customers in an attempt to kick-start a recovery.

A “Meet the Buyer” event, jointly organised by Suffolk County Council, the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, the Ipswich and Suffolk Small Business Association (ISSBA) and Forest Heath District Council, is being staged in Ipswich on June 16.

Thirty-six buyers, responsible for purchasing a range of goods and services in the public and private sectors, will be on-hand to offer practical advice to any interested small and medium sized businesses at Endeavour House between 5.30pm and 9pm.

Areas of business represented by buyers will include property, construction, print, recruitment, IT, highways, health, training, police services and Suffolk's colleges. There will also be economic development advisers on hand to offer advice about available grants and business support.

Kim Brown Chair ISSBA said their members had been asking about new ways to secure new business

“Using a “speed dating” approach on the night, they will be able to pitch their credentials to the very people who place the contracts for work. I'm hoping that it will be a perfect match for many of them,” she said.

Suffolk County Council chief executive Andrea Hill said: “In these unprecedented times the county council's first priority is to help Suffolk through the recession, so I'm really pleased that we have been able to organise this event for the county's small businesses.

“Since December, when we came together at the Economic Summit, we have been looking for practical ways to support Suffolk businesses through the economic downturn. By introducing businesses to buyers we hope that this event will be another step on their road to recovery.”

John Dugmore, chairman of Suffolk Chamber, said: “In times of economic difficulty, it is important that all parts of the community work together to achieve a solid and sustained recovery. This event is a perfect example of Suffolk organisations standing shoulder to shoulder to help each other. “