Slump in DFID contracts going to small and medium enterprises

LONDON — The United Kingdom Department for International Development’s latest annual report shows an 18 percent drop in direct procurement to small and medium-sized enterprises, after three years of steadily increasing its SME engagement.

The drop coincides with a new layer of regulation imposed by the 2016 Supplier Review, which observers warned may be discouraging local and smaller firms from bidding on DFID contracts.