LOCAL contractors across the region are being given the chance to meet with the main contractor for the Borders Railway, BAM Nuttall.

A 'meet the buyer' event will be hosted by BAM Nuttall on Wednesday 27th February at the National Mining Museum in Newtongrange from 11am to 4pm.

This event will give local contractors the opportunity to meet the people in charge of awarding contracts to suppliers in relation to delivery of the Borders Railway project. The event will involve an introductory presentation on the Borders Railway project, followed by an explanation of the process to apply to become a supplier. There will also be a short networking opportunity at the end of the event to allow attendees to meet members of the project delivery team.

Network Rail and BAM Nuttall are committed to supporting local communities across Edinburgh, Midlothian and the Scottish Borders throughout construction and delivery of the Borders Railway project and this includes involving local suppliers where possible.

Nissar Mohammed, Project Director at BAM Nuttall said, "There has been overwhelming demand from local firms to get involved with the Borders Railway Project, so we are pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to local businesses. Those in attendance will be able to find out more about how to apply for a contract and be able to ask any questions they may have. It is important to us to try, where possible, to employ local suppliers to undertake work related to the Borders Railway project." Councillor Stuart Bell, Scottish Borders Council's Executive Member for Economic Development said, "The construction of the Borders Railway is a very significant project and is a great opportunity for Borders' companies and suppliers to meet the main contractor for the Borders Railway. I would encourage companies, suppliers and service providers in the Borders, including those who have enquired about opportunities in the past, to take up this opportunity to meet BAM Nuttall."