MT121

3 August 1995

LAUNCH OF SINGAPORE AUSTRALIA BUSINESS ALLIANCE FORUM (SABAF)

The Minister for Trade, Senator Bob McMullan, and the Singapore Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Mr Goh Chee Wee, will tomorrow launch the Singapore Australia Business Alliance Forum (SABAF) - a major component of the strategic business linkages program initiated by Prime Minister Keating and Prime Minister Goh in Singapore in September 1992.

Senator McMullan said today that bringing together senior business leaders from Australia and Singapore through SABAF will open up joint opportunities for new private sector developments in Australia and Singapore and third country markets.

"SABAF will provide a high-level forum, with a direct line to Prime Ministers, which will play a strategic role in developing bilateral commercial relations between Australia and Singapore," Senator McMullan said.

"Through the talents and energy of business leaders in Australia and Singapore, SABAF should come up with concrete proposals where both countries can cooperate to capture emerging opportunities in markets such as China, Vietnam, India and Indonesia."

Prior to the launch with Senator McMullan, Mr Goh will meet with the Minister for Tourism, Mr Michael Lee, and the New South Wales Treasurer and Minister for State Development, Mr Michael Egan. Mr Goh will also attend a luncheon hosted by the Australia-Singapore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Today and tomorrow, Mr Goh will take part in a high level Singaporean tourism mission in Queensland. The mission, in Australia until 11 August, will visit a range of tourism sites in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

The mission comprises senior Singaporean investors and senior officials from the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board. Australian officials include the Special Trade Representative, Mr John Button (from 3-5 August), Special Investment Representative, Mr John Dawkins (from 7-11 August), and the Australian High Commissioner to Singapore, Mr Ted Delofski (from 2-7 August).

"The Singaporeans are keen to establish a world class integrated tourist resort (ITR), attracting Australian and international visitors, particularly from the Asia Pacific region," Senator McMullan said.

"In meeting its social objectives to Singapore students, unions and armed services, the Singaporeans want the ITR to integrate with eco-tourism operations in an ecologically, commercially and socially sustainable manner. "Australia can also benefit in numerous ways from the ITR program. "In addition to receiving additional investment in major tourist facilities, Australia will gain from increased foreign visitors and expenditure. "But, most of all, Australia will gain from the job creation which will flow from these initiatives."

Senator McMullan said the visit by Mr Goh Chee Wee and the launch of SABAF are further examples of Australia's continuing engagement with Asia and acceptance in Asia.

"In the past week alone, Simon Crean has been building education and training links with China, Gareth Evans has met ASEAN and other Asian Foreign Ministers at the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the Prime Minister has held meetings with Vietnam's Dr Do Muoi, something the Coalition did not consider appropriate.

"The Government is not just talking about links with Asia, we are actively participating in the Asian community."

The launch of SABAF will take place at 4.00pm in Regent 5, Regent Hotel, 199 George Street, Sydney.

Prior to the launch, Senator McMullan and Mr Goh will hold a brief joint doorstop at the entrance to Regent 1, Regent Hotel, at 3.45pm.

Lists of SABAF delegates and members of the Singaporean tourism mission are attached.

All SABAF delegates were personally selected by Prime Minister Keating and Prime Minister Goh.

Parliament House, Canberra, ACT 2600;

Tel: (06) 277 7420;

Fax: (06) 273 4128;

Further information: John Flannery, (06) 277 7420 Steve Gartland (4/8/95), 018 624 927