Speech

Address by: Peter O'Byrne, Austrade CEO
Event: Afternoon Tea with the National ICT Industry Alliance (NICTIA) at CeBIT Australia
Location: Darling Harbour
Date: 1 May 2007


Thank you Peter (Harrison, MC)

• Tony Hill, President, National ICT Industry Alliance (NICTIA)
• Jackie Taranto, Managing Director,  Hannover Fairs Australia
• Ernst Raue, Deutsche Messe AG
• Ladies and gentlemen …

It’s a pleasure to be here this afternoon.

I extend a warm welcome to all our international visitors – including members of the delegation from the Ukrainian Ministry for Transport and Communications – who have come to Australia especially for the exhibition, and to meet with Australian ICT companies to discuss potential business.

This ‘afternoon tea’ brings together members of:

• the National ICT Industry Alliance (NICTIA)
• international customers
• the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
• Invest Australia
and;
• Austrade ICT specialists from Australia and overseas.

This is an opportunity to get to know each other, talk business, and discuss industry issues in a relaxed environment.

With 700 exhibitors and 30,000 visitors expected this year, CeBIT Australia’s profile continues to grow, and Austrade is pleased to continue our involvement as a partner.


I acknowledge in particular the work of Jackie Taranto, from Hannover Fairs Australia, who has worked to increase the international component of the event, and attract international delegations.

Today’s event also represents an important part of our ongoing work with both NICTIA members, and NICTIA as a whole – a collaboration helping more Australian ICT companies succeed in export.

Last year together we introduced the “Export Alley” in the “Fast Track” area for small businesses. Export Alley has expanded from 13 to 36 booths for this event and is again attracting a lot of attention.

This year we are also encouraging companies who visit Export Alley to become involved in Business Club Australia, a corporate networking initiative bringing potential business partners together during the excitement of international sporting events.

A Business Club Program was held last year during the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. 

865 Australian and international ICT companies joined the Club for the program, and over 150 companies attended an ICT-specific business networking event during competition.

A Business Club will be held in France during Rugby World Cup 2007, with ICT events staged in September and October. 

Looking ahead, we also hope to hold a Business Club program for the Beijing 2008 Olympics – again with an ICT focus.

For interest, Austrade is also working with our allies to help Australian ICT companies attend over sixty events across Europe, Asia and the Americas, including twelve major events such as:

• The Hong Kong International ICT  Expo last month, involving 21 Australian participants
• CommunicAsia and Broadcast Asia in Singapore in June
• We also supported the Australian delegation to CeBIT Hannover in March,
and;
• Worked in partnership with AEEMA to present Australian ICT design and manufacturing capability at the International Consumer Electronics Show In Las Vegas, held in January

Austrade has a team of 70 Export Advisors and Business Development Managers devoted to ICT – in over 30 cities in key ICT markets – specialists drawn from technology and industry backgrounds …

… 12 of them are here this afternoon from destinations such as the Chile, Dubai, Japan and the US – as well as Austrade’s ICT Team Leader Peter Harrison – and I encourage you to speak to them about opportunities for Australian companies overseas.

I would also like to acknowledge our Tradestart partners here today, who work with Austrade to deliver export services throughout Australia. They are:

• Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (AEEMA);
and;
• Australian Interactive Media Industry Association (AIMIA).

Austrade’s work with Australia’s ICT exporters is assisted greatly through the relationships we have built with industry stakeholders, and the common purpose we share with our allies.

We welcome our ongoing work with NICTIA members, NICTIA as an organisation, and through this event, Hannover Fairs Australia.

I am also very pleased we are able to assist our international guests during your visit to CeBIT Australia, and other activities while you are here.

I hope all of you have a rewarding and enjoyable afternoon
.

Thank you