0I* N
CHECK AGAIN TDELVER EMBARGOED UNTIL DELIVERY
SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER
LAUNCH OF THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS LIAISON
GROUP'S 1991 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PROGRAM
CANBERRA 11 FEBRUARY 1991
Bill Ferris
Ian Spicer
Leader of the: Opposition,
Parliamentary Colleagues
At this challenging time in the life of our nation, it is
heartening indeed to see this new initiative of the
Australian business community an initiative that
demonstrates once more our capacity, as Australians, to work
together for the common good.
Australia's ability to become competitive in the
increasingly complex world of trade, investment and finance
is critically important to our hopes for a stronger and more
prosperous nation.
And the launch today of the International Business Program
is an imaginative and timely contribution to this process of
nation building.
The core aims of the International Business Program are:
the development of a stronger and more effective
Australian dialogue on the issue of competitiveness,
and the creation of an effective presence of Australian
trade and industry within the international business
community.
These are goals the Australian Government endorses
wholeheartedly. All of the organisations involved in this venture have, in
years past, made their own contributions to the process of
building the Australian economy and its export trade.
And-there-mus3t-be-considerable; and-legitimate, pride that
these eight national business associations along with
AUSTRADE and the Department of Industry, Technology and
Commerce, have now joined forces to create a year long
program dedicated to promoting Australian competitiveness.
Each Association represented in this program has its own
viewpoint and objectives. But such differences have been
put aside for the common purpose of promoting the interests
of the national economy.
It is in this shared endeavour that I see the enduring
significance of the International Business Program. And let
me add how appropriate I feel it is that this approach is
matched with the bipartisanship being displayed on this
occasion. This reflects the fundamental confidence of both sides of
politics in the capacity of Australians to achieve our goal
of a more competitive and more prosperous Australia.
My Government has long recognised the need for Australian
industry to increase its international competitiveness and
to accept the challenges and opportunities that will flow
from enmeshinig our economy into the regional and global
economy. And we have acted on that need.
Tariff reductions and ambitious microeconomic reforms are
evidence of this Government's commitment to improving the
efficiency and performance of the Australian economy.
At a different level, I might also add how pleased I have
been to assist Australian businesses find and develop
overseas markets for their products. One of the features of
the official overseas visits I make as Prime Minister has
been the participation of delegations of business leaders,
which has included their involvement in direct talks with
foreign Governments. I think all those who have been
involved would agree that this has been a successful
innovation, which has shown just how seriously Australia
regards the challenge of exporting, and how closely business
and government can work to meet the challenge.
But the task is, as we all know, a substantial one, and much
remains to be done. In my statement to the Parliament on
March 12 I will take stock of our progress and outline the
Government's strategy for the further medium and long-term
economic development of Australia.
As for this program we are launching today, it would be
unfair and unwise to expect immediate or spectacular
results.
3.
But I do believe,-from the-wholehearted support-that is
being put into it from all sectors of the productive economy
primary, secondary and tertiary and from Government
itself, that it will, at the very least, be another step
along the road to success, which will complement the other
policy initiatives we are taking and the other positive
efforts being made throughout the Australian community.
The creation of the International Business Program confirms
the synergy between business and Government in this country,
and it represents an opportunity to position ourselves to
make the best international use of our national resources.
So I congratulate all those connected with the International
Business Program and I express my confident hopes for your
full and successful program throughout 1991.