NI businesses - including those in the construction sector - still have time to line-up for lucrative contracts for the forthcoming London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

That was the news this week at a special business seminar held in Belfast to help local companies pinpoint new opportunities by briefing them about the next phase of opportunities.

Experts from the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) took part in the event which was held in association with Invest Northern Ireland.

Gerry Walsh, Director of LOCOG's procurement team updated local businesses about the contract opportunities to supply goods, works and services to the Games, and provided further details about the scope of what is required and the expected timeframes for purchasing.

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Vicky Kell, Invest NI Trade Director, said: "LOCOG will issue 5,000 direct contracts over the next two years.

"The tenders are very competitive but some local companies have already been shortlisted to tender, so the opportunities are real.

"Local companies need to have their details published on the CompeteFor web portal to bid for this work.

"Compete for offers a free service to businesses to enable them to compete for contract opportunities linked to the 2012 Games and other major public and private sector buying organisations," he explained.

"Businesses also must be able to demonstrate that they have sound quality and environmental systems in place as well as meeting other mandatory criteria such as health and safety and equality policies," she added, noting that Invest NI can provide advice and guidance to assist companies to address these areas and has made information available through the websites: nibusinessinfo.co.uk

(BMcC/GK)