Seminar helps firms look at Olympic opportunities

Among those who attended the event were representatives from a number of local companies, including engineering firm FG Wilson.

Briefing firms about the next phase of opportunities were experts from the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). The event was held in association with Invest Northern Ireland.

Gerry Walsh, Director of LOCOG's procurement team updated local businesses about the contract opportunities to supply goods, works and services to the Games, and provided further details about the scope of what is required and the expected timeframes for purchasing.

Vicky Kell, Invest NI Trade Director, commented: “LOCOG will issue 5,000 direct contracts over the next two years. The tenders are very competitive, but some local companies have already been shortlisted to tender, so the opportunities are real.

“Local companies need to have their details published on the CompeteFor web portal to bid for this work. CompeteFor offers a free service to businesses to enable them to compete for contract opportunities linked to the 2012 Games and other major public and private sector buying organisations.”

She added: “Businesses also must be able to demonstrate that they have sound quality and environmental systems in place, as well as meeting other mandatory criteria such as health and safety and equality policies.”

Companies seeking advice and guidance should log on to www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk or www.investni.com/2012games