Portal Opens the way for Business to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games
Councillor Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, and John Scott, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014 Limited launch the Commonwealth Games Business Portal in front of an audience from the Scottish business community.
The Commonwealth Games Business Portal, launched on 1 October, will provide an opportunity for businesses to find out all the information necessary to compete for contracts related to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Much of the goods, works and services relating to the Games will be sourced through the portal.
The successful delivery of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will need a huge number of goods, work and services from firms of all sizes. To help make this part of the delivery as smooth as possible, the Commonwealth Games Business Portal has been created.
Examples of these goods, works and services include everything from reasonably small-scale catering and security contracts to massive construction projects. Companies of all sizes can compete for Games-related contracts.
Firms that wish to be considered for Games-related contracts must pre-register their details to create a business readiness profile. This is done through a straightforward, free, online process that should take no longer than 45 minutes.
There are three main reasons why firms should pre-register. Firstly, information on areas such as health and safety and insurance can be collected; secondly, to ensure businesses can get in place the requirements necessary to be matched with and considered for opportunities - in time; and finally, to save time on future applications from businesses, information from past tender questionnaires will be used to fill future ones.
It is expected that the portal will benefit businesses by helping firms to develop their business networks, providing buyers with the widest possible network to engage with a diverse supply chain, giving access to business support networks and identifying potential partners for the formation of an onward supply chain. To ensure the highest possible business performance, it is necessary to ensure that as many firms as possible can compete for contracts.
Businesses interested in supplying services for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games should visit www.glasgow2014.com/businessportal or phone 0845 272 2014. The portal is an online business networking and matching service that will publish both public and private sector Games-related contract opportunities.
Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will clearly provide an enormous range of opportunities for businesses in the city and beyond. The Business Portal will ensure that businesses that are ready to register will have the chance to bid for contracts, developing their skills and capacity to ensure a real legacy of increased capability and expertise. I am confident that our world-class firms will be able to play their part in delivering a memorable Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.”
John Scott, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014 Limited, said: “I am confident that the Commonwealth Games Business Portal will contribute to the smooth delivery of an outstanding Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, whilst facilitating a real opportunity for businesses across Scotland to get involved. This is another key milestone in our journey in the run up to the Games.”
Dr Lesley Sawers, chair of BusinessClub Scotland, said: “Previous host cities such as Manchester, Sydney and Melbourne have delivered massive economic benefits to their business communities, and the launch of this portal today is a vital step in helping us do the same in Glasgow.
“The 2014 Games is a huge opportunity for businesses in Glasgow and throughout Scotland, and we must ensure that everybody is given the opportunity to compete for the many contracts that will be available in the coming months and years. To achieve that objective, BusinessClub Scotland will be holding similar launches across the country over the coming weeks.”
Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stuart Patrick said: “Here is the opportunity for business to take the first tangible steps in connecting with the Commonwealth Games to win as many as possible of the contracts that will arise in all sectors from construction to the service industries. We want to make sure that 2014 has the widest impact possible on Glasgow business and this is the beginning of that happening.”
The Commonwealth Games Business Portal has been developed by Glasgow City Council, in partnership with Glasgow 2014 Ltd, the company who will deliver the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.