By IANS,
New Delhi: While Australia and India compete with each other in the Commonwealth Games, Australian firms have won business gold in Delhi and are working with India to stage the Games, a press statement said Friday.
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,” Varghese said.
The ascending tally of gold medals is yet to catch up with 47 companies that have won $83 million in Games contracts.
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 the run 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 Stadium.
“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,” added Varghese.
According to Varghese, Australia has the largest trade promotion network in India by location, with representation in 11 cities around the country. The Australian Trade Commission’s team of dedicated industry specialists can provide market insights, local knowledge and strategies to help Australian and Indian businesses successfully partner for two-way trade and investment.