London Olympics 'will benefit local firms' Edinburgh businesses told

Published on Friday 13 March 2009 08:49

THE London Olympics are bringing "golden opportunities" to local firms, a meeting in Edinburgh heard today.

John Armitt, the chair of the Olympic Delivery Agency (ODA), told businessmen and women at Murrayfield about the help small and medium-sized firms here can get bidding for contracts.

The ODA is the public body responsible for developing and building the venues and infrastructure for the 2012 Games.

"We want to help Scottish businesses make the most of the golden opportunities that are available," Mr Armitt said.

"Companies of all sizes from different sectors across the country have already won work directly with the ODA."

He urged companies to sign up for CompeteFor, a service linking companies working towards London 2012.

Mr Armitt said: "While we still have contracts left to place, the bulk of opportunities are now through our contractors and the supply chain."

Crawford Gillies, the chair of Scottish Enterprise, said more than 1,500 firms in Scotland had already signed up with CompeteFor.

"To boost this number we have to make companies aware that they have to be in it to win it."

Mr Gillies argued that Olympic contracts can "secure valuable business, stimulate job creation and help increase sustainable economic growth".

He added: "Contracts for 2012 Games-related goods and services truly are economic gold and could go on to provide further opportunities with the forthcoming Commonwealth Games."