Victorian Gov. to back CeBIT delegation

The Victorian government has announced that is helping some 21 Victorian ICT companies show their wares and network at CeBIT Hannover, this week.

The Bracks Government has said it is providing funding to the companies via its overhauled ICT Trade Events and Exports Assistance Program.

Victorian Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Marsha Thomson, said in a statement that ten of the companies would be exhibiting together at an ‘Australia’ stand, with the rest there to network.

Companies in the delegation included Data Storage Solutions, Komodo CMS and Polaris Communications.

With the announcemnt Thomson took the opportunity to put the boot into the Federal Government, claiming that Victoria was the only government providing financial support to the local organisations attending CeBIT.

“We are the only government in Australia sending a trade mission to CeBIT Hannover 2006, where over half a million international visitors are expected to attend,” she said.

“It is remiss of the Federal Government to neglect the growth of this vital sector, by failing to provide adequate support to its companies that want to expand their businesses overseas.”

According to Thomson, the Bracks government had helped 70 Victorian ICT companies attend CeBIT since 2001. These companies had seen additional sales of more than $50 million as a result of attending the event.

“Our presence at CeBIT is vital to raising the international profile of Victorian companies, boosting ICT exports, attracting new investors and showcasing the many exciting developments within not only our ICT industry but our State,” she said.

cebitstrategyvictorian government