Beijing 2022 Olympics seeks makers of official products

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics organizing committee opened a selection for manufacturers of official merchandise on Friday, preparing for the launch of the gala event's licensing program later this year.

On a trial run of the licensing program, the Beijing 2022 organizing committee has begun receiving bids from domestic enterprises interested in designing and manufacturing products bearing official Beijing 2022 logos in six categories including badges, clothing, ceramics and products made of noble metal.

All interested enterprises shall have been established for at least two years with registered assets worth more than 20 million yuan (about $3 million) and proven social credibility. Other mandatory requirements for the bidders include providing proof of meeting relevant standards in quality control and environmental protection, the committee said in a statement released Friday on its website.

Bidders shall send official candidacy files and qualification certificates through email to licensing@beijing2022.cn before May 30.

As part of the marketing program for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the licensing project, due to be launched later this year, refers to the marketing act authorized by the Beijing 2022 organizing committee to produce and sell merchandise containing the logos, mascots and relevant intellectual property rights of the Games.

"The licensing program will play an instrumental role in promoting the Olympic spirit, spreading Beijing's vision of hosting the Winter Olympics, and enhancing the brand value of the event while promoting traditional Chinese culture," the committee said in the statement.

After unveiling the official emblems for the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games in December, the Beijing 2022 organizing committee kicked off a trial run of the licensing initiative to sell about 200 kinds of predesigned products carrying the emblems -- such as key rings, stationery and commemorative stamps -- at 16 official outlets in Beijing, Shijiazhuang, Shanghai and Nanjing as well as its official online store.

The surging demand for the first batch of merchandise during the trial phase has boosted confidence for a robust licensing project that will greatly contribute financially to the preparation and organization of the Winter Olympics in 2022, the committee said.

The official 2022 marketing program also includes the sponsorship initiative launched in February 2017 and the ticketing project, which will be opened later this year.