The week that was: 29 July 08 - 5 August 08
While the 2012 Olympics have already been beset by all too predictable budgetary problems, we’ve heard barely a whiff of controversy surrounding the building of venues for the Beijing games, which kick off on Friday. And Procurement Leaders knows why – for the Chinese government budgets are something that live in trees and make pretty chirping noises. “London’s Olympic procurement organisation would love to be in the same situation as those buyers involved in the Beijing games,” Ping Wang, a leading expert in Chinese procurement, told us as we clambered on to our starting blocks in preparation for the greatest show on earth. “The government doesn’t care how much things costs – it only cares about making sure everything’s finished in time.” Ah, the joys of a budget-less world, it’s unlikely that Gordon Brown will be so understanding if the spend for 2012 maintains its upward trajectory.
Quote of the week - "Garment workers in Bangladesh are going hungry while their local bosses flaunt their wealth and the big fashion brands sourcing in the country flourish”, Neil Kearney, General Secretary of the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation, keeps ethical sourcing at the top of the agenda during a speech in Dhaka.
Japanese innovation has reached new levels – although those of us who like the feeling of the wind in our hair at the wheel may not approve. Nissan claims it has invented an “eco pedal” - a device that fights back whenever it thinks that you’re putting excess pressure on its poor little engine. They reckon it can improve fuel efficiency by 5-10 per cent, although the petrol heads among us needn’t run/drive for the hills just yet – the device can, you’ll be pleased to hear, be switched off before you set off.
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