Expo fosters ties with Asia - Brief Article

Business Asia, Feb 11, 2000 by Cameron Cooper

Darwin's enhanced role in the region through its diplomatic aid for East Timor will again ensure that Asia is a focal point of the NT Expo this year, according to the event's general manager Vicky Spence.

Regarded as Australia's pre-eminent trade fair, the expo aims to encourage cross-regional collaboration and enhance export opportunities.

Although the event continues to draw an impressive list of exhibitors, organisers are conscious of the need to fight off public familiarity with the concept.

Spence said a strategic plan was being implemented "to strengthen" the Expo and to address dwindling numbers through the gate.

"People are familiar (with Expo) and we need to regenerate it," she said.

Organisers expect to attract 300 exhibitors this year, with an emphasis again being placed on participation from NT traders.

International exhibitors, primarily from South East Asia, should make up about 20 per cent of sites. Early indications are that foreign traders from such sources as Kuching and Sabah (Malaysia), the Philippines, Brunei and China will take part. A strong presence from other Australian states is also the norm.

Spence said Brunei's commitment to hosting this year's Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit could cut down on that nation's presence at Expo.

However, she was sure "we'll have a fairly big focus on East Timor" this year to round out the exposition's international flavour.

In the past year, Darwin has become a pivotal city in foreign efforts to assist East Timor's path to independence. United Nations talks have been held in Darwin, while the city has become the hub of Australia's defence aid for East Timor.

The Northern Territory's Department of Asian Relations and Trade has built strong cultural and trade relations with its Asian neighbours -- and will again use the Expo this year as a vehicle to promote those ties. The department is particularly keen to strengthen relations with China.

Indonesian companies have taken part in NT Expo since 1993. While NT Expo attracts headlines for attracting international patronage, there is an increasing shift in attention back to local products. Last year, a conscious effort was made to go back to the expo's roots through emphasis on local businesses. That move followed some criticism from NT traders that they were being engulfed by international competition.

Nevertheless, Spence said foreign participation continued to be integral to the event.

This year's NT Expo will again promote booming industries such as IT, but Spence said the traditional strongholds such as mining, oil and gas would remain a focal point.

The defence forces would also have a strong presence.

THE EXPO FILES

WHEN - NT Expo Week runs from July 11-16 in Darwin, Northern Territory.

HISTORY - The first Expo was run by the Lions Club of Darwin in 1969.

* The event attracts visitor numbers in excess of 20,000.

* Up to 300 exhibitors participate.

THEME - The organisers of NT Expo 2000 "theme" the experience by focusing on a number of key business sectors. These include:

* Information technology and communications;

* Mining, oil and gas;

* Food and beverages; and

* Holiday and travel.

RELATED ARTICLE: Trade fair has come a long way

NT Expo has come a long way. Thirty years ago the Darwin Lions Club organised a trade fair to promote local businesses.

A real community effort ensued as citizens took part in the small community fair, which attracted about 30 exhibitors.

That fair proved the forerunner to the NT Expo -- now regarded as one of the biggest events of its type in Australia.

Run by the Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the exposition attracts up to 400 international and interstate business delegates each year.

Its role in promoting ties with the Asia-Pacific region has also been significant. Darwin's proximity to South East Asia, in particular, has drawn many exhibitors from nations such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia.

The success of NT Expo has been recognised through the business awards run by this magazine.

In 1997 and '98, NT Expo won the award for Best Contribution to Australia-Asia Business Ties at the Business Asia News Magazine Awards.