Transport for Wales, in partnership with Business Wales, the Welsh Government’s flagship business support service, is to host a 'Meet the Buyer' event in Newbridge this month.

The event, on November 13, is designed to so local businesses can find out more about the opportunity to prepare bids for contracts worth £50m each year over 15 years.

The event will take place at the Newbridge Memorial Hall. A further one will be held in Bangor in North Wales two days later.

Transport for Wales, a not-for-profit company established to provide support and expertise to the Welsh Government, is transforming the face of public transport in Wales.

It will work with SMEs to ensure real benefits are felt across the communities they serve.

Service and supply contracts will be available in multiple fields including: Train spares, lease or purchase of road vehicles, train cleaning, station cleaning, depot track maintenance, facilities management, uniforms, recruitment and temporary labour, rail replacement buses, staff and customer taxis, station improvements packages, stationery, PPE and oils and lubricants.

Howard Jacobson, tendering adviser at Business Wales, said: “Business Wales has a plan in place to advise and help businesses to become ‘Fit for Tender’ and be able to take advantage of this exciting opportunity over the next 15 years.

“Transport for Wales has an absolute commitment to ensuring that SMEs within Wales are able to take part in the supply of goods and services; and Business Wales will be delivering fully-funded workshops and advisory support to assist all levels of SMEs in the tendering process.”

Colin Lea, commercial and customer experience director at TfW Rail Services, said: "As part of our commitment to building a world class railway for Wales and the Borders, we are passionate about working with local companies.

"There are so many fantastic businesses doing so many great things in Wales and we are excited to be able to meet some of those people and potentially work together.

"Ultimately, we exist to give every community we serve the best possible service and re-investing in those local communities and economies is something we are very keen to do."

Meet the Buyer events will begin with key presentations, before moving to networking and small group sessions with TfW, Business Wales, Social Business Wales, Sell2Wales and Construction Futures Wales.

Spaces are limited so applicants are urged to register by 4pm on Friday, November 9, by visiting http://bit.ly/meet-the-buyer or phoning 03000 6 03000.