In 2003, all government procurement in Chile was moved online through a portal called ChileCompra. Not only did it make every transaction transparent, resulting in improved accountability and cost savings for the government, but it also created a central online location for all businesses across the country looking to bid on any and all government contracts. Since the portal�s introduction, the number of bids per government project has more than tripled -- from 1.7 to 5.7, and the total number of companies registered to bid has grown to more than 200,000. Increased competition and efficiency saves taxpayers US$60 million a year, the government estimates -- good for the government and good for the vendors. The one catch � businesses must have access to technology, or they can't participate in the online e-procurement portal.

The government of Chile recognized this issue and worked with Microsoft and other partners to create a solution to ensure greater access to ChileCompra and government business. Beginning next month, tens of thousands of small- and micro-business owners in Chile who don�t own PCs will no longer be left out or have to make frequent trips to their local icafe to find and bid on government projects. Instead, a Microsoft Partnerships for Technology Access (PTA) program, called �Mi PYME Avanza� (My Small Business Grows) will provide affordable access to PCs, the latest software and training through low-interest, unsecured loans.

The program is one of more than 50 now underway or planned � from Egypt to Argentina, Mexico to South Africa � since Microsoft introduced the PTA initiative at the Microsoft Government Leaders Forum (GLF) Americas in March 2006. The initiative combines the know-how and resources of governments, technology companies, banks and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide creative micro-financing and purchasing arrangements, along with training and other resources, to people and business that can�t otherwise afford PCs.