Small and medium-sized businesses across the Highlands and Islands are being urged by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to explore opportunities arising from the 2012 London Olympics and 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games alone are expected to generate 75,000 business opportunities, while the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 will also be significant.

The recent Beijing Olympics has already proved a success story for some local businesses, with Owen Sails in Oban supporting the gold medal winning British Yngling team. The company also designed and manufactured tensile fabric for a press area at the Games.


Glenmore Lodge in the Cairngorms was recently chosen by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) as an accredited Olympic training venue.

In keeping with the Government Economic Strategy, HIE seeks to provide solutions for businesses that promote growth and productivity, including promotion of opportunities such as the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

Daniel MacIntyre, HIE's development manager said: "These are once-in-a-lifetime international events coming to the UK and businesses from the Highlands and Islands should look into get involved. The many contracting opportunities for both events can potentially provide a significant boost to local businesses."

Local businesses are being urged to find out more and not to miss out.

(GK/JM)