Thesis:

Small And Medium Enterprises Access To Public Procurement Markets In Rwanda : A Case Study Of Small And Medium Enterprises Complained To Rwanda Public Procurement Authority In Financial Year 2011-2012

This research analyzed the factors that affect Small and Medium Enterprises access to public procurement markets in Rwanda. To achieve this objective, the research hypothesized factors such as a lack of knowledge in procurement process, lack of information about tenders, public procurement process, procurement rules and regulations, capacity issues, all affect SMEs access to public procurement markets. The development of SMEs is very important to the Rwandan economy and public procurement can be an important source of business for SMEs where integrating SMEs in public procurement provide clear market opportunities for SMEs, who otherwise are likely to be excluded from public procurement because of some factors such as a lack of knowledge in procurement process, lack of information about tenders, public procurement process, procurement rules and regulations and capacity issues. So, why some Small and Medium Enterprises are complaining to Rwanda Public Procurement Authority about tenders. In this study, the researcher employed both quantitative and qualitative methods from respondents. For instance quantitative for questionnaires and qualitative held interviews with the respondents. The findings revealed that lack of knowledge about tendering, lack of information about tenders, public procurement process, public procurement rules and regulations and capacity issues all were confirmed by the respondents as the factors which affect SMEs access to public procurement markets. And through these findings, the specific recommendations were given to emphasize SMEs access to Public Procurement Markets. Further areas of study were also suggested in order to exhaust the phenomenon.