MEDIA RELEASE AUSTRALIAN MINISTER FOR TRADE MARK VAILE
MVT34/99	4 October 1999
Minister to Launch Business Club Australia in Osaka

To further maximise business links between Japan and Australia during the Sydney Olympics, Trade Minister, Mark Vaile, will tomorrow (Tues, Oct 5) launch Business Club Australia in Osaka.

"In September last year the Federal Government established a global network, Business Club Australia, to assist international business people connect with Australian business opportunities under the spotlight of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games," Mr Vaile said.

"In September last year the Federal Government opened the first Business Club Australia in Tokyo, and the new club in Osaka will extend the benefits to southern Japan."

Membership benefits include a broader networking base for business through exclusive access of a national network of Business Club Australia centres across Australia during 2000 Sydney Olympic games.

Other features of the Club include:

• Networking: referrrals to help find a qualified business partner
• Information: Member Newsletter featuring business trends and opportunities
• Access to the Virtual Club on Business ClubAustralia web site - for communications with other club members and access to a supplier database
• Pre-visit assistance to maximise visits to Australia
• Post-visit support
• Business Club Australia is managed by Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) as a part of Australian Government's "Australia Open for Business" program.

For more information on Business Club Australia in Osaka contact:

John Kellett

Australian Consulate General Osaka
29th Floor
Twin 21 MID Tower 2-1-61
Shiromi,Chuo-ku, Osaka
540-0001

Tel: 06-6941-9467
Fax: 06-6920-4543
Web Site: http://www/australiaforbusiness.com.au

For further information contact:

Minister's Office - Bruce Mills (02) 6277 7420 Department - Tony Melville (02) 6261 1555