Public procurement involves governments advertising to companies, encouraging them to apply or tender for State-backed contracts.  It could be to provide services or to build a road or a hospital.  The sums involved can reach into the billions, and because taxpayer value is at the heart of the process, the government wants as many companies to bid for contracts as possible.  That’s why it’s organising a big procurement conference in 2 months.  Emer Higgins is the junior minister with special responsibility for Public Procurement and is the driving force behind the expo and she joined Joe this morning to discuss.