London 2012 calling - business opportunities on offer worth £6bn
London 2012 may still seem a long way off, but delivering the Olympics is a massive undertaking, requiring goods and services from thousands of businesses across a huge range of sectors. Already more than 34,000 companies have registered to compete for work on the Games, but many more are still needed.
(Media-Newswire.com) - The Government is urging businesses across the country to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with up to 70,000 supply chain contracts available worth over an estimated £6 billion.
London 2012 may still seem a long way off, but delivering the Olympics is a massive undertaking, requiring goods and services from thousands of businesses across a huge range of sectors. Already more than 34,000 companies have registered to compete for work on the Games, but many more are still needed.
The Department for Business and the Olympic Delivery Authority ( ODA ) today co-hosted a free seminar for 250 women, disabled and ethnic minority business owners, aimed at helping them access these opportunities. The event was designed to ensure companies representing the UK's diverse cultures and communities are well-placed to bid for and benefit from Olympics contracts.
Business Minister, Pat McFadden, Chairman of the ODA, John Armitt and Patrick Elliott, Chief Executive of Business Link London, all spoke at the seminar, while representatives from organisations including the Ethnic Minority Business Taskforce, Supply London, Train to Gain, London 2012 Supply Chain and the London Development Agency were on hand to offer expert advice to business owners.
Pat McFadden said: "The London 2012 Games represent a great opportunity for UK businesses to grow and prosper. The purpose of this event is to dispel the myth that a business can be too small or too niche to win an Olympics contract - we need diverse businesses from every community to join the race and help deliver the Games.
"If a business owner is inspired by the games to boost the fortunes of his or her company, then the Government will make all its support resources available to help reach that goal."
John Armitt said: "We want to work with the best in British business to deliver the venues and infrastructure for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and a sustainable legacy. We've created a level playing field for companies to compete and small and medium size businesses are winning most of the work supplying the ODA.
However, the Games are taking place in one of the most diverse areas of the country and it's vital that black, Asian and minority ethnic-owned businesses have equal opportunity to get involved in helping deliver London 2012. This event is an important part of encouraging diverse businesses of all sizes, from right across the country to get ready to compete for London 2012 opportunities."
Patrick Elliott said: "The London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics are not just about winning the medals - enterprise and business growth plays a significant role in making these games a success and securing a long-lasting legacy.
Small and large businesses should have equal footing in competing for Olympics contracts. Business Link is putting businesses on the right path to success - getting them the best help they need to ensure they're a winner and not just a runner-up."
The ODA and the London Business Network also delivered workshops explaining how delegates could register with http://www.competefor.com, the official site promoting business opportunities for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
CompeteFor acts as a brokerage service, matching companies of all types and sizes to potential opportunities to supply London 2012 contractors. It also provides businesses with access to focused help and support services through Business Link, which helps managers grow their business and improve competitiveness.
Every company interested in getting involved with the Olympics can benefit through registration with CompeteFor, either through winning a contract or from gaining the skills to be able to supply other public sector contracts.
Notes to editors:
1. The Department for Business helps UK business succeed in an increasingly competitive world. It promotes business growth and a strong enterprise economy, leads the better regulation agenda and champions free and fair markets. It is the shareholder in a number of Government-owned assets and it works to secure, clean and competitively priced energy supplies.
2. The Department for Business' is involved in maximizing the wider economic benefits of the London 2012 Games across the UK, including those for tourism and business promotion.
3. Business Link provides the information, advice and support needed to start, maintain and to grow business. It is backed by the Government and dedicated to helping all businesses succeed. It can be accessed online at http://www.businesslink.gov.uk or by calling the national helpline on 0845 600 9006.
4. CompeteFor has been developed on behalf of the English Regional Development Agencies ( RDAs ) and UK Devolved Administrations by the London Development Agency, working closely with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games ( LOCOG ) and the Olympic Delivery Authority ( ODA ).
5. To apply for contracts listed on CompeteFor businesses must complete and publish a full profile. They will then have access to procurement listings and be able to search for other suppliers with whom they may wish to partner. For more information visit http://www.competefor.com
6. The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform helps UK business succeed in an increasingly competitive world. It promotes business growth and a strong enterprise economy, leads the better regulation agenda and champions free and fair markets. It is the shareholder in a number of Government-owned assets and it works to secure, clean and competitively priced energy supplies.
Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform 7th Floor, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET
Public enquiries +44 ( 0 )20 7215 5000 Textphone +44 ( 0 )20 7215 6740 ( for those with hearing impairment )
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