The Australian Trade Commission, or Austrade, has launched a campaign to promote further collaboration between the Australian and UK information technology sectors. In particular, Austrade is trying to tempt UK dealers and distributors to take on Australian software products, the strongest sector of its computer industry. Trade links between the two countries are already quite healthy. The UK accounts for around 90% of all European exports from Australia while the UK is its largest single investor. Of the 800 Australian companies established in Britain, less than 10% of them are software houses a figure which Austrade’s Ross James who is responsible for information technology, would like to see increase. However he also said that the establishment of British computer companies in Australia is important not only for Britain but also in terms of research and passing on expertise to the Australians. The campaign is part of a wider initiative to upgrade the image of Australian business in the UK, and will take the form of seminars, lectures and workshops.
