by Ma Jianguo

British trade officials on Monday urged Chinese companies to play an even bigger role in London's preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games.

"Just as British companies have contributed to the success of Beijing Olympics in 2008, so we very much hope that you (Chinese companies) will try to be part of delivering London 2012," said John Rutherford, head of the Business Development of the Olympic Legacy Unit under the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).

"We must ensure that innovative and ambitious companies from the UK and around the world take full advantage of the business opportunities in these Games present," he said.

Speaking at the investment seminar "UK & China Partners in Business," Rutherford said that Britain wanted to match the excellence of the Beijing Games, in which British companies participated in the design and construction of the Birds' Nest Stadium, Water Cube and Terminal Three at the Beijing Airport.

Although the Games are more than three years away, contracts worth 3 billion pounds (about 4.2 billion U.S. dollars) have already been awarded, Rutherford said.

He said that the Olympic Delivery Authority and the London Organizing Committee have expected to allocate over 6 billion pounds (8.4 billion dollars) as part of an estimated 75,000 future business opportunities covering direct contractors and their supply chains over the coming years.

Currently there are more than 57,000 companies registered on the official website for London Olympic contracts, including more than 2,000 overseas firms, about 160 of which are from China.

It is expected that some 200,000 companies will eventually register on the website.

Honav, a Chinese company that supplied Olympic pin badges at the Beijing Games, has already secured a 2012 contract to provide a similar service to the London event - show badge.

Rutherford said that the UKTI will work with the host UK region and visiting countries to develop bilateral trade and investment ties.

"To be involved in the London Games, is to be part of the world's most exciting event and to showcase its expertise on a global stage," Rutherford said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2009)