Contact/Cyswllt:  Sian Cliff
02920 898342 / sian.cliff@wales.gov.uk

As vital funding for major cultural, sporting and community events in Wales is being lost, Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates is urging local businesses to sign up to ‘The London 2012 Business Network’ which offers opportunities to British businesses to compete for 2012 Olympic contracts.

More than 500 contracts have already been awarded to businesses by the Olympic Delivery Authority, with 98% going to UK businesses and 50% to companies outside London. The ODA estimates that there are more than 75,000 further business opportunities and Mick Bates AM is urging local businesses to compete for these contracts:

“It is important that our local businesses do not lose out to London – I urge all local businesses in Wales, small and large, to sign up to compete for the London 2012 contracts.

“I am deeply concerned that vital support money is being diverted away from Wales to the 2012 London Olympics, leaving the future for many cultural and sporting events at risk. It is feared that as much as £24million could be drained from the Lottery Fund for Wales to host the Olympics in London.

“We need to make the most of the few opportunities for Wales that the London Olympics will offer and I urge local businesses to sign up now to compete for contracts so that they do not lose out.”


Ends/Diwedd


Notes:

The London 2012 Business Network is made up of three components:

CompeteFor: an online portal that matches buyers with suppliers. Contracts are registered on the network where companies can register their interest in supplying to London 2012 and matches can then be made.

Information: comprehensive information on London 2012 business opportunities – available at www.london2012.com/business.

Events: a national programme of business events around the UK.