The preparation work for the Beijing 2008 Olympics is often criticized by businessmen and by the foreign chambers of commerce – the tendering process is not so open and transparent and information is very difficult to get. In the Working Group “Public Procurement” of the European Chamber in Beijing (EUCCC) we look at how the government is dealing with tenders of public projects, including the many projects to modernize Beijing. (I am the chairperson of the Group)
On 10 May a wide group of interested companies attended an information meeting in the new building of BOCOG (The Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games). The building was opened in October 2005 and is located in the north of Beijing on the 4th Ring Road. The metro line 13 is not too far. The building is modern and pleasant.
The BOCOG building on the 4th Ring Road (North) and to the west Line 13 (elevated)
The subject was a briefing on the plans for the “Temporary Venues” (sometimes called Overlay) and possibilities for sposorship. Positive was that rather complete information was provided and the presentation was given out as a hard copy.
Unfortunately, the speakers decided to give the presentation in Chinese, rather embarrassing as many delegates were flying in from Germany, Switzerland, France, UK and other locations. The poor foreigners could just sit and wait to get to their office and translate one of the presentations into English – the other one was in English and Chinese (so we did too).
Beijing pretends some 30% of the citizens can handle some basic English. Well, I still did not find them. No any taxi driver I ever met can understand English… while it is said they are receiving English lessons…
At least BOCOG could do an effort… Not that I criticize them too much because many of the staff are trying their best to cope with the workload. But they face their limitations in staffing.
At least is was a good step forward for BOCOG in their communication with the foreign business community.
The largely foreign audience … listening to the Chinese presentation