Australian firms partner with India to score gold at the Commonwealth Games

Austrade media release

8 October 2010

While Australian athletes compete trackside at the Commonwealth Games, Australian firms have already won business gold in Delhi and are working with India to stage the Games.

The ascending tally of gold medals is yet to catch up with 47 companies that have won A$83 million in Games contracts.

Australian High Commissioner to India, Peter Varghese said, “Australia and India’s shared passion for sport and healthy rivalry on the field is evident in the medal count at the Games. Off the field, India is one of Australia’s fastest growing trading partners.

“It is very exciting for us to participate and to be involved in the delivery of the Games in Delhi via Australia’s niche expertise in sport and the business of sport,” Mr Varghese said.

Australian firms are delivering on Games contracts for services including broadcasting, catering for Games village, concept and logistics for the Queen’s Baton Relay, design and detailing of games venues and pyrotechnics for the opening and closing ceremonies.

Howard’s Pyrotechnics, which delivered the fireworks for the opening ceremony, brought two 40-foot containers of fireworks and specialist equipment to produce the pyrotechnics opening and closing events. A crew of 22 pyrotechnic specialists have been working for a month on site in Delhi in the lead up to the Games.

The lightweight tensile roof for the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which at 54,000 square metre, is the largest of its kind in Asia, was installed by Taiyo Membrane.

The International Broadcasting Centre (IBC) measuring approximately 9,000 square feet was built and shipped to India as a complete working unit by Global Television.

Sports Technology International (STI), Australia’s leading supplier of artificial turf and sports surfaces, installed the elite hockey pitch at the Major Dhyan Chand National Hockey Stadium.

Other participating Australian companies include Marshall Day Acoustics, PeddleThorp Architects, SMEC, Connell Wagner, Sustainable Built Environments, WT Partnerships, SGL Consulting Group, Contemporary International, Turf Design Studio, Group GSA, David Payne & Associates, Delaware North, Australian Projects & Consulting Services, Rebound Ace, Capital Group, MGAC, Anti Wave International, Advanced Polymer Technology, Xtralis, Tensys, Starena International, Camatic seating and Alpha Prisma among others.

“The involvement of such a significant number of Australian firms in the Games reflects the complementarity of our two countries and highlights the potential of the economic relationship,” Mr Varghese said.

The Australian High Commission is hosting the Australian Government's official business program, Business Club Australia, during the Commonwealth Games. Twenty-two business and industry events will be held over 11 days of the Games competition to boost trade and investment between India and Australia. Over 2000 Australian and Indian business executives are expected to participate.

“The Commonwealth Games has brought Australians and Indians together in the spirit of celebration. Business Club Australia (BCA) is providing an opportunity to form new alliances with Indian partners against this exciting backdrop,” Mr Varghese added.

BCA India 2010 matches Indian companies with innovative Australian firms across key sectors such as agribusiness, advanced manufacturing, sustainable building and construction, clean energy, education, food and beverage, financial services, mining, sports and major events.

Business Club Australia in partnership with the Industry Capability Network (ICN), hosted a special event on Friday, 8 October to celebrate the Australia’s participation at the Commonwealth Games.

A special focus of the program has been to build high-level business connections in sport, encouraging joint ventures and partnerships between Australia and India to bid for projects beyond the Commonwealth Games such as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and the 2011 Formula One.

For more information on Business Club Australia, visit www.businessclubaustralia.com.au.

ENDS