Paul Andre Walker, Staff ReporterREGIONAL MANUFACTURERS have received a thorough outline of the business opportunities available via ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 and were urged to avail themselves of "this unique moment in Caribbean history".
ICC CWC 2007 Marketing Manager Damon Leon listed a number of avenues through which regional entrepreneurs and companies can benefit.
"There have been and will continue to be various open tenders, RFPs and RFQs (requests for proposals and requests for qualifications) such as the recent Central Procurement Programme RFQ and the Licensing and Merchandising (L&M) Programme which have opened opportunities for regional businesses to become official on-site venue concessionaires, caterers, apparel manufacturers and distributors, publications providers and more," he told a Trinidad audience.
Leon's comments must also be relevant to Jamaicans and speaking to the Communications Manager of Jamaica Cricket World Cup 2007 Incorporated, Pauline Nelson, it became obvious that Jamaicans in particular were fast acting in the arena of realising the business opportunities available.
"I know that already, there are seven Jamaican companies that have been granted licences under the CWC licence and merchandising programme. Throughout the region Jamaica had more persons applying for licences and merchandising than any other country. Apart from that there is the possibility of catering. Tenders for catering will be issued soon," said Nelson.
POTENTIAL VENTURES
Leon also highlighted other potential business ventures, such as finding niche-market opportunities which would cater to the thousands of visitors who will descend on the Caribbean for the ninth ICC Cricket World Cup and the region's largest-ever undertaking.
The ICC CWC 2007 official also stressed that the public must use its imagination to create attractive extracurricular activities for the cricket-loving tourists who will be "eager to sample the lifestyle and friendly atmosphere for which the Caribbean is well known."
