Latin American sporting events offer opportunities for Australian businesses

Austrade is advising that the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games and the Lima 2019 Pan American Games present a range of opportunities for Australian businesses, with the sporting events requiring a range of services including architects, designers, construction companies, event planners and producers.

Marie Hill, Austrade’s Trade Commissioner for Peru, said Australia is internationally known for its depth of experience in all aspects of staging major sporting events.

She explains “Australian companies have played key roles at major sporting events including Summer and Winter Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, FIFA and Rugby World Cup tournaments and the Asian Games.

“They have assisted with all aspects of major sporting events from initial construction and planning to Olympic torch design to opening and closing ceremonies.

“With proven capabilities and a demonstrated record in helping host nations deliver successful events, Australian businesses are ideally suited to assist in Latin America, as event organisers call for tenders and secure suppliers.”

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, host of the 2018 Youth Olympic Games from 30th September to 12th October 2018, infrastructure opportunities include the development of new facilities and upgrading existing venues.

Key projects include Argentina’s Olympic Park which encompasses an athletics venue, aquatic centre and playing fields for several sports like hockey, where Australia’s expertise in developing such facilities is internationally recognised. Suppliers of sports material and equipment are also in demand.

The 2019 Pan American Games and Para-Pan American Games held in Lima, Peru from 26th July to 11th August 2019, offer a variety of opportunities for Australian suppliers to assist with infrastructure, equipment and services.

COPAL, the Organising Committee of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, will use the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) to manage all Games-related procurement and is expected to announce major infrastructure tenders in mid-March 2017. The details of service projects are also likely to be known once infrastructure projects commence.

Hill stated “to date, four local companies have told Austrade of their interest in partnering with Australian counterparts to bid for Games-related projects.

“Peru’s two largest infrastructure firms are interested in working with Australian firms who hold sports infrastructure expertise and international experience, as well as suppliers of relevant building products and sporting equipment.”

Hill said these partnerships would assist in bidding on key infrastructure projects which include the athlete’s village, athletics venue, aquatic centre, and indoor multi-purpose sports centres; as well as upgrading existing facilities like the soft roof to Lima’s cycling velodrome and resurfacing sports tracks.

She added “Austrade has also generated interest in Australian companies forming partnerships to help establish an accredited anti-doping laboratory in Lima.”

Other potential opportunities include providing services in security, hospitality, transport, traffic management and volunteer training.

Hill concluded “further opportunities are likely and a trade mission to Lima and Buenos Aires is planned for March 2017. The mission which will include meetings with event organising committees and facilitate introductions with prospective local partners.

“The 2019 Pan America Games will provide additional opportunities to build relationships between Australia and Peru on a number of levels through our common sporting interest.”

The Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games is expected to attract 7,000 attendees from 206 countries and involve more than 3,800 athletes.

While the Lima 2019 Pan America Games is anticipated to involve 6,500 athletes and Para-Pan American Games 1,800 para-athletes in nearly 400 events, attracting over 75,000 visitors.

These events follow Latin America’s success in hosting international sporting events - the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

Click here to access Austrade's page on the Lima 2019 Pan American Games.

Click here for more information about doing business in Argentina.

Images: The 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Oympic Games will feature futsal (top) and the main venue for the 2019 Pan America Games (below).

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