The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) signed its first sponsorship agreement yesterday, with US-based couriers UPS the first to come on board.

Started on March 31, the sponsorship program is the second stage of the BOCOG's marketing plan, the first being the partnership program that nine organizations have so far signed up for.

UPS was selected as the official logistics and express delivery sponsor and will provide logistics consultation and assist in developing and executing the Games' logistics operating plan. It will also provide express delivery services to all venues nominated by the BOCOG.

The agreement covers the Olympic Games, the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games and the Chinese Olympic Committee, as well as the Chinese teams competing in the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy and in 2008.

Yuan Bin, director of BOCOG's Marketing Department, said sponsors are being chosen under the principle of being "open, transparent and fair," adding, "Strong servicing capabilities, rich experience in sponsoring big events and a healthy development strategic objective are the important factors we look at when choosing our sponsors."

The sponsorship program is due to be completed by the end of the year, Yuan said, after which the third stage of the marketing plan focusing on suppliers will begin.

(China Daily July 28, 2005)