The Effects Of IT On Trading Floors

The Effects Of IT On Trading Floors And Community Health Among Key Themes At WCIT 2002

December, 2001 -- The effects of IT on financial markets and the future for communities with advances in the human genome project are confirmed as two of the key themes at next year’s World Congress on Information Technology 2002 (WCIT).

The congress is being held in the Southern Hemisphere for the first time, and is in Adelaide from February 27 to March 1, 2002. Trade promotion agency Trade New Zealand, its investment division Investment New Zealand and ITANZ have joined forces to sponsor a strong New Zealand presence at the congress, supporting a New Zealand themed luncheon, exhibition stand and delegation of companies.

Organisers of WCIT 2002 have confirmed that registrations have passed the mark anticipated for this time in 2001 – and have also made further confirmation of session themes and high profile speakers.

In one of the sessions on the third day of the conference, a seminar on The Impact of the Human Genome Project on Human Potential will be delivered by Grant Sutherland, current director of the department of Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide. Mr Sutherland is a past president of the Human Genome Organisation and of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia, a member of the Australian Government’s Biotechnology Centre of Excellence Expert Panel, and is a recipient of several medals for excellence in biomedical research.

Mr Sutherland’s session is expected to be a popular choice for delegates, as biotechnology, genetics and hi-end technology gather pace as critical fields of research. Health IT is already a major focus for New Zealand exporters, with surveys by Trade New Zealand finding vendors generated $60 million in export revenues last year – expected to grow to $88 million this year – and that life sciences exports are expected to reach $2 billion by 2010.

On day two of the conference, the vice chairman of the board of directors at the NASDAQ Stock Market, Alfred R Berkeley, will discuss The Impact of Technology on the Delivery of Financial Services – a session discussing how financial markets and trading floors will deal with the changes heralded by the internet.

Mr Berkeley’s session is one of many on day two discussing the impact of IT on commerce and business. Other high profile speakers confirmed for that day include – Doug Elix, senior vice president and group executive, IBM Global Services; Bob Bishop, CEO of Silicon Graphics; Ziggy Switkowski, CEO of Telstra; Naoyuki Akikusa, president and CEO of Fujitsu; and John Chen, chairman, CEO and president of Sybase.

The first day of the congress, themed ‘Unleashing the Power’, deals with broad issues such as the digital divide, legal issues and future technology lifecycles. World-renowned speaker Don Tapscott will follow former US President Bill Clinton’s opening speech on day one, outlining what he sees as the five themes of the post-dotcom bust world.

Bookings for the congress have now been received from people from all parts of the globe, including Ghana, Mexico, Taiwan and Japan.

Trade New Zealand, Investment New Zealand and ITANZ are now at the last stages of confirming the core New Zealand technology showcase and presence at WCIT 2002, and a visiting investor programme being led by Investment New Zealand. Companies interested in being involved need to be in contact with Trade New Zealand before Christmas, and should contact Sally Tye, Project Manager, Ph 04-472 9800, Email sat@xtra.co.nz

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