Winning sport-related business in Russia and Qatar 'a challenge' for British firms
Negative media reports from the UK about Qatar and sanctions on some Russian businesses has made it “challenging” for British firms to win contracts related to the FIFA World Cup tournaments they will respectively host, according to trade experts.
Russia is set to host the tournament in 2018, with Qatar staging the major football event four years later.
Of the latter, numerous reports have emerged over the last few years which have speculated on the number of deaths caused during stadium construction, with figures are high as 7,000 mooted by reports – although the Qatari government has repeatedly refuted the claims.
Aizaz Thapur – UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) senior commercial attache based in Doha – said that matching British firms with buyers in Qatar had “been a challenge”, adding: “What really doesn’t help is that the news reports come from this country (UK), so that can make things uncomfortable. But, to be honest, I think that the decision-makers and influencers in Qatar are knowledgeable enough to overlook that.”
Talking at UKTI’s Global Sports Project Conference 2016 yesterday (23 February), Thapur told delegates that there was “significant opportunity” to win contracts in Qatar as the nation was embarking on a US$200bn infrastructure expansion as part of its 2030 national vision – of which the World Cup plays a significant part.
Qatar may build up to 12 stadia and 94 training facilities in the run-up to the tournament, as well as 130 hotels and transport infrastructure improvements, so opportunities were there, but only for businesses with “innovative and sustainable solutions”.
“Qatar is a competitive market, but it has huge potential,” he said. “The whole world is trying to sell to Qatar – we need to bring our niche areas and state-of-the-art products to market.”
Russia has also had its fair share of bad press after its military intervention in Ukraine, and has had subsequent trade sanctions implemented as a result.
UKTI Russia head of team, Global Sporting Events, Taissia Zelenkova, admitted that challenges existed when trying to pair British firms with Russian companies, not just in term of the sanctions but also the country’s economic downturn which has resulted in a drastic devaluation of its currency.
As a result, Russia has had to review its budget for the 2018 World Cup, and has been permitted by FIFA to reduce the number of training grounds to three per stadium from four. However, the budget reduction does not affect the investment in stadia and infrastructure.
Zelenkova highlighted opportunities in temporary construction, overlay supply and installation, sports venue security and the modernisation of 11 airport. British firms can find out which Russia organisations are sanctioned via information from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
For both nations, the cloud surrounding FIFA’s corruption crisis has also raised questions over the legitimacy of their winning bids.
World Cup FIFA Russia Qatar UKTI football facilities business infrastructureBritish firms win £600m worth of business as a result of Brazilian sporting events
Populous lined up to design Qatar 2022 stadium
England should Boycott Russia 2018 World Cup, says Andy Burnham
Pressure mounts on FIFA following fresh Qatar 2022 corruption allegations
Qatar 2022 dismisses 'split games' claims
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
BodyHoliday plans 10-15 locations in the next 15 years
