Papua New Guinea business is set to receive a major boost from supplying the Pacific Games 2015, as Games CEO Peter Stewart explains.

Artists’ impression of Port Moresby’s Sir John Guise Stadium, which will be renovated for the 2015 Pacific Games. Credit: PeddleThorp

On 4 July 2015, 4000 athletes and officials from 22 countries across the Pacific region will assemble in Port Moresby for the Pacific Games 2015. The work to prepare for the quadrennial Games has already begun, with a K760 million (US$362 million) budget allocated, of which K200 million (US$96 million) has already been granted.

The bulk of this budget—about K700 million (US$335 million)—has been ear-marked for essential infrastructure projects, including the major redevelopment of Sir John Guise Stadium (itself built and donated by China for the 1991 Games), a new sports complex, new halls of residence at the University of Papua New Guinea campus (which will serve as athlete accommodation) and 20 other redevelopments.

This is a games for PNG and we’d like as much money as possible to stay in PNG

Infrastructure building will start early this year and be overseen by the Games’ Venues, Infrastructure and Equipment Committee. All work will go to tender via the PNG Government’s Central Supply and Tenders Board.

However, Games Chief Executive Officer Peter Stewart also expects to spend a further K120 million on ‘small things’—everything from fleet vehicles, flights, catering and staff through to pots and pans, cleaning and waste services, TVs, fencing … and fireworks.

Stewart, a veteran of the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the 2000 Sydney Olympics, advises the Games will conduct ‘best practice’ purchasing, buying first from sponsors on a preferred-supplier basis, and then from those companies who have registered as suppliers. If anything else is needed, it will go to the market, with big ticket items, such as office fit-outs, legal services and insurance, advertised.

‘This is a games for PNG and we’d like as much money as possible to stay in PNG,’ he says.

For companies looking to supply the Games, sponsorship (in cash or kind) will be the easiest route but the Games intends to drive a hard bargain on pricing.

Last week, BSP was announced as the Games’ Official Sponsor, committing not only to direct financial support under this sponsorship but also to using its ‘brand, branches and outreach throughout PNG and the Pacific to promote the games in a positive and inclusive way,’ according to BSP’s Chief Executive Officer Ian Clyne.