The importance of a strategic and collaborative approach to procurement across the public sector in Wales was recognised at the highest level with the publication of ‘Making the Connections: Delivering Better Services for Wales’ in October 2004 which identified ‘Smarter Procurement’ as the key to releasing £120 million in value for money efficiencies by 2008.

A growing recognition of the impact of effective procurement in Wales has never been more evident and a combination of innovation, experience and resources is already delivering the kind of efficiency improvements that make a real difference to the bottom line and therefore the delivery of front-line public services.

Adopting a genuinely strategic approach to procurement is the key to unlocking these efficiencies and achieving true value for money. In taking a holistic view and integrating the principles of sustainable development and e-procurement through all activity the public sector can optimise the positive impact of responsible procurement, ensuring savings are equally about optimising whole-life costs.

The role of Value Wales is to "work in partnership with the Welsh public sector as a catalyst to improve value for money obtained from its procurement activity, thereby supporting the delivery of public services while benefiting the social, economic and environmental landscape of Wales". This steer presents a unique opportunity for the Welsh public sector to maximise the benefit of collaborative working.