Media release
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Tim Fischer
11 February, 1998
On-Line Consultation with Australian Business
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Tim Fischer, today launched an internet consultation process designed to elicit the views of business and other community groups on the benefits and pitfalls of electronic commerce.
"Electronic commerce is a powerful factor driving global interdependence and an increasingly important factor in international trade," Mr Fischer said.
"There is no doubt that the internet will be a key tool in allowing Australia's Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to access new export markets. Through the internet, even the smallest companies now have access to an affluent market of 70 million consumers who spent more than $5 billion on-line last year."
"Even by conservative estimates that figure is expected to grow to 150 million consumers spending in excess of $200 billion each year by 2000. I want to make sure that Australian companies get their fair share of this new international trade," he said.
The internet consultation process broadens round table discussions conducted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) with stakeholders in the Australian on-line business community which focussed on shaping the Government's trade policy.
"Our consultations so far, show that Australia is well placed to benefit from internet commerce, particularly when it comes to the exports of services."
"It has also debunked the traditional view that small firms could not export."
"Mick Denigan, of Mick's Whips, has shown that a micro-company with three employees, no power, telephone or water in a remote part of Australia can access new markets through the internet. Since putting his leather goods business on the internet two years ago, Mick has enjoyed a 700 percent increase in exports and now sells his products to over 12 countries."
"I place a high priority on developing the Government's on-line trade strategy. Getting it right requires close and sustained consultation with state governments, business and other community groups."
"I urge anybody with an interest in on-line policy issues to participate in the on-line consultations, at the New Silk Road web site: http://www.dfat.gov.au/nsr," Mr Fischer said.
Local Date: Thursday, 17-May-2012 15:47:53 EST