CeBIT Australia Information and Communications Technology Trade Show
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The Hon. CHRISTINE ROBERTSON: My question without notice is addressed to the Treasurer, and Minister for State Development. Will the Minister inform the House about the benefits to New South Wales from hosting the CeBIT Australia information and communications technology trade show?
The Hon. MICHAEL EGAN: I am pleased to advise the House that the New South Wales Government will sponsor CeBIT Australia 2004, Australia's leading information and communications technology [ICT] event for the business community. CeBIT is scheduled to take place at Darling Harbour from 4 May to 6 May. It is expected to attract 500 exhibitors and 25,000 visitors from 15 countries including the United States, India, Germany, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, China, New Zealand, Singapore, Israel and Korea. Australia is the second-biggest market for ICT products and services in the Asia-Pacific region after Japan.
The Hon. Charlie Lynn: What does that mean?
The Hon. MICHAEL EGAN: We are the second-biggest market for ICT products and services in the Asia-Pacific region after Japan. I should have thought the Hon. Charlie Lynn would have understood that the first time. If he does not understand it the second time, he goes to the bottom of the class.
The Hon. Charlie Lynn: What does the acronym stand for?
The Hon. MICHAEL EGAN: I see, you are taking me up on my use of the acronym? I do humbly apologise. ICT stands for information and communications technology. I shall never refer to ICT again. I shall take to task—in fact, I might even sack—the adviser who provided the acronym. New South Wales accounts for more than 40 per cent of the domestic market. The information and communications technology sector in New South Wales has a turnover of $31 billion a year and employs 100,000 people. CeBIT Australia is based on Germany's CeBIT, the world's largest and most successful information and communications technology trade show. Sydney has been chosen as one of four international locations to stage regional CeBIT exhibitions. Support for the event will be provided through the Department of State and Regional Development. It will include showcasing the innovative technologies of 16 New South Wales information and communications technology companies participating in the department’s business development programs. The department will also host a business reception at Government House to bring together high-level international business delegates and exhibitors with New South Wales-based information and communications technology companies.
CeBIT Australia is the only Australian event where visitors can explore a full range of next generation global technologies and information and communications technology solutions. Participants will see the latest systems, services and trends in information technology, security, networking, e-business, telecommunications and wireless. CeBIT Australia 2004 will also focus on e-government by introducing a one-day forum. This forum will highlight Australia’s strength in e-government implementation, which a recent United Nations study rated second only to that of the United States of America. Our information and communications technology industry has a strong international reputation, and CeBIT puts New South Wales on the map while showcasing us as an attractive investment location.