Government is celebrating Small Business Week, Oct. 19-25, by helping entrepreneurs and businesses find opportunities to sell goods and services to the public sector.

The annual Reverse Trade Show, hosted by government, will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 21, in Halifax. Businesses can meet with buyers from the provincial, municipal and federal governments, health authorities, school boards and post-secondary institutions.

"I encourage those looking to do business with government or network with other businesses to attend the reverse trade show and find out what opportunities are there," said Labi Kousoulis, Minister of Internal Services. "We want to maximize public sector buying power and this trade show is a great opportunity for us to make sure we have potential suppliers offering a wide variety of goods and services."

The trade show is a partnership among the provincial government, Greater Halifax Partnership, the federal Office of Small and Medium Enterprises and the Construction Association of Nova Scotia.

In 2013-14, government spent about $890 million buying goods and services like medical supplies, heavy equipment, construction, and maintenance work. About 80 per cent went to Nova Scotia-based suppliers.

Business owners interested in attending the trade show and networking sessions can contact Kimberley Murphy at 902-424-6577 or murphyki@gov.ns.ca to register. The deadline is Monday, Oct. 20.

It will be held at Pier 21, 1209 Marginal Rd.