Media release

Australian Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile

Tuesday, June 27, 2000
MVT67/2000

Austrade targets Greek Olympic opportunities

Trade Minister, Mark Vaile, today announced the appointment of David Faulks as Austrade Senior Trade Commissioner in Athens, effective January, 2001.

Mr Vaile said the appointment of Mr Faulks, currently Austrade's Global Manager, Olympics and Sport, was part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at providing a wide range of products, services and expertise to assist Greece, and particularly Athens, in its preparation for the 2004 Games.

"As the current Games holder, Australia is particularly well placed to provide a full suite of services and expertise to help guide Greece in the lead up to the 2004 Games," Mr Vaile said.

"Australia has long enjoyed a very close relationship with Greece and the Athens Games offer an excellent opportunity to strengthen this relationship further.

"As the new Senior Trade Commissioner in Athens, David will play a vital role for Australian companies wishing to be part of Athens 2004," Mr Vaile said.

"In his current role as Austrade's Global Manager Olympics and Sport, he is responsible for the delivery of a whole of Government program to maximise trade and investment benefits from the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

"As part of this program, he has been the driving force behind Business Club Australia and Australia Sport International which together provide a path for Australian Games-related expertise to be marketed into overseas markets.

"In establishing the Australia Open for Business program, David has consulted closely with previous Olympics Games hosts. He managed a major Australian promotion in Atlanta during the 1996 Olympics and he has good relations with National Olympic Committee representatives in countries around the world, including Greece. This, together with his knowledge of Australian sports, make him particularly well qualified for his new role," Mr Vaile said.