Austrade makes big ICT push into Asia

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 14 October 2010 08:32

IT Policy - Government Tech Policy

The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) has kicked off a series of high-level missions to Asia promoting Australia's ICT capability and appeal as a technology investment destination.

Starting Monday 11 October the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), National ICT Australia (NICTA) and 21 ICT companies are promoting Australian ICT at events in Beijing and Shanghai with the aim of capturing business opportunities in China.

These events will be followed by a Digital Economy and Broadband Application mission (18-26 October) to Japan, South Korea and Singapore, to be held in conjunction with the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Industry (DIISR) that will examine the benefits of high speed broadband and opportunities created by the National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout.

Austrade's global ICT team leader Janelle Casey said both missions highlighted the benefits of closer ICT trade ties with Asia. "Australia has a talented ICT research sector with a track-record of success and leading capabilities. For example, Australian innovation is at the core of Wireless LAN, the technology behind Google Maps, and the Australian developed L4 microkernel used on 800 million mobile phones worldwide. The diversity of companies attending the China mission demonstrates the huge potential of the market."

Casey told iTWire in June, on the Austrade stand at CommunicAsia in Singapore that the $43b NBN project was generating widespread interest from businesses around the world. She said: "We believe it creates an unprecedented opportunity, especially for businesses with experience in developing the core requirements of the network."

Participants in the China mission include: the general manager of Telstra China, and representatives of Bond Wireless, Clive International, Digital Techniques, Duons MCO, Exinda Networks, Inference Communications, Mikoh Corporation, New Media Innovation, Obsidian Consulting, Omnistar, Quickcomm (which has just been acquired by Vodafone Global Enterprise), Smartbill, Strapper Technologies, Teletech and UTbox.