HL Deb 28 June 1999 vol 603 c1WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are ensuring that the needs for goods and services of NATO forces in Kosovo, and those of refugees and displaced people, are being met as much as possible by local purchasing in Bulgaria, Romania, Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia. [HL3004]

Baroness Amos

The Department for International Development support the procurement of local goods and services where this is possible, cost effective, and does not harm the local economy or reduce access of the local host population to essentials. NATO forces based in Macedonia have a general agreement to secure supplies, wherever possible, from Macedonian sources. There are no formal arrangements in Bulgaria, Romania, Montenegro or Bosnia, but NATO forces purchase locally when appropriate. The Department for International Development offices in Tirana and Skopje have procured locally as far as practicable, and encouraged our partners to do so.