This weekend, the Pacific Games commences in Port Moresby, attracting some 4000 athletes from across the Pacific, with events televised in each of the 24 participating countries. How has Papua New Guinea business made the most of the opportunity? Business Advantage PNG investigates.

Papua New Guinea’s business community has delivered more than K74 million in sponsorship for the Pacific Games, which run from 4 to 18 July, according to David Conn, Chief Executive Officer of the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry (POMCCI).

In addition, Conn told Business Advantage PNG that, of the K1.4 billion invested by the PNG Government, about K800 million of this had been spent on contracts for PNG-based businesses.

‘This has been a tremendous boost to local suppliers and a welcome boost to employment figures,’ he said.

Peter Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of the Games Organising Committee (GOC), added that over 1000 contractors had shared in more than K70 million spent by the  Committee during the Games build-up.

‘The Games has provided opportunity for the local businesses to build their workforce and expertise capacity while facilitating greater business,’ Stewart said.

He noted that hundreds of local companies had provided a range of goods and services for the Games, while showing a willingness to be flexible and innovative in the way they have worked with the GOC to meet demanding requirements.

Conn says while many business have provided ‘magnificent’ support to the Games, some hadn’t been quite so open to the opportunities.

‘This may have been due to lingering cynicism about readiness for the Games, but with the test events already held at Sir John Guise Stadium and Taurama Aquatic Centre, I think the public is in no doubt the venues are games-ready and are of an international standard,’ Conn said.

BSP Official Sponsor

Bank South Pacific (BSP), which is undergoing significant expansion in the Asia-Pacific region, is the Official Sponsor of the Pacific Games.

Julie Fraser, Head of Marketing at BSP, said it was an opportunity for the bank to be involved with the ‘biggest-ever Pacific Games’ and the legacy it will leave for the people of Papua New Guinea.

‘BSP has been working closely with the GOC since our announcement as Official Sponsor in February, 2013,’ Fraser said.

BSP’s comprehensive sponsorship of the Pacific Games has ranged from ongoing support for the GOC during preparation for the event to developing a ticket sales solution for ticket sales at selected branches nationwide, providing volunteers and uniforms plus EFTPOS and ATMs at venues and a specially designed games village branch for athletes during competition.

‘We also have given away 80% of our sponsor allocated tickets to customers nationwide in ad campaigns during April, May and June to help raise awareness and generate excitement and ticket sales in the lead up to the event,’ Fraser said.

Promotion opportunities

Oil Search Director Gerea Aopi with Relay Baton and Huli Wigman. Credit: Oil Search.

The Pacific Games offered organisations several tiered levels of sponsorship to promote their brand around the country and Asia-Pacific region. Twenty-one companies are identified as sponsoring the event in some way.

Oil Search Ltd secured perhaps the widest reach of any brand in PNG by sponsoring the Pacific Games Relay, which involved more than 2000 people carrying the baton through all 22 provinces over recent weeks.

The baton started in Port Moresby and then travelled about 1000 km, flying to Vanimo, West Sepik, before going through East Sepik, Madang, Eastern Highlands, Simbu, and the Western Highlands.

PNG newcomer Puma Energy, which acquired InterOil’s downstream petroleum assets last year, secured a platinum sponsorship, along with a sector-diverse group of companies: Ok Tedi Mining, SP Brewery, Telikom PNG and the National Gaming Control Board.

Part of S P Brewery’s K4 million sponsorship supported the Gold Athletes Programme, which involved funding to help with the preparation of several PNG athletes. S P Brewery also joined forces with the GOC to launch a ‘drink responsibly’ campaign to help educate consumers.

As Official Carrier, national airline Air Niugini has a key role in transporting athletes, officials and visitors to Port Moresby. The airline has complemented its support by emblazoning three of its aircraft with the Games logo.

How is your business getting behind the Pacific Games?

Let us know in the comments section below.