MILLIONS of pounds will be traded when Hampshire firms meet this week to pitch and trade contracts to dozens of national firms.

Meet the Buyer at the Ageas Bowl on Thursday will allow more than 30 major public and private sector buyers of business services to meet local suppliers.

A similar event last year generated deals worth an estimated £7m – £750,000 more than the year before.

National firms who are attending so far include Capita, Amey, Fasset, Kier, Scottish & Southern Energy, First Wessex, Geoffrey Osborne and Mansell Construction.

A range of industries so far covered include construction, building maintenance, engineering, electrical services, estate management, office supplies, air conditioning systems and waste management.

Suppliers who register in advance can attend a free workshop sales training breakfast which is intended to help them make the most of the Meet the Buyer experience.

Denise Barlow, head of projects at organisers Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Major buyers frequently find it too time-consuming to sort through the myriad of local suppliers to find those who might be able to offer them a better deal.

“For their part, smaller businesses who often have innovative products and services can find it difficult to make effective approaches to larger buyers.

“Meet the Buyer is specific- ally designed to solve that mis-match.

“Meet the Buyer gives businesses an unrivalled opportunity to cut through the supply chain and meet major purchasers face to face all in one place on the same day.”

Meet the Buyer is funded by The Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH), Southampton City Council, East Hampshire District Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Hampshire County Council, New Forest District Council, Portsmouth City Council, Test Valley Borough Council, Winchester City Council and Havant Borough Council.

The attendance fee is £99 plus VAT per delegate for companies within the partnership area and £399 plus VAT for those located outside.

To register for the event log on to meetthebuyer.biz/supplier.