MEDIA RELEASE THE AUSTRALIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER FOR TRADE TIM FISCHER

PRIVATE SECTOR INVITED TO DEVELOP A NEW TRADE AND INVESTMENT CONFERENCE

The Federal Government will seek expressions of interest from the private sector to develop and stage an annual international trade and investment forum in Melbourne in 1998-99.

"This follows an evaluation of the National Trade and Investment Outlook Conference, which has been held since 1993, at a cost to the taxpayer of $6.1 million," Mr Fischer said.

"We are now inviting the private sector to develop and stage a trade and investment conference on a commercial basis.

"The evaluation of NTIOC has shown it to be of value both as an international trade and investment forum, and for bringing Australian and overseas business people together.

"There is no doubt this type of conference has been successful and can now stand on its own two feet.

"The Government will provide support through DFAT and Austrade, as well as providing modest seed funding."

Mr Fischer added that as with NTIOC, the Victorian Government will be involved with this new conference.

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