National Party Leader Bill English flies out this Friday for the United States following an invitation by the Governor of Colorado to give a keynote address at the Governors Science and Technology Commission in Aspen on 17 - 18 March.

Colorado is at the cutting edge of developing initiatives with the private sector in the field of science and technology and that is why I see this visit as extremely important as there are many similarities between Colorado and New Zealand even down to population, says Mr English.

"The Commission meeting in Aspen will focus on areas that really interest me such as high tech communication technology, biotechnology, and the use of venture capital to underpin development in these areas.

"I intend to talk about foreign direct investment to New Zealand and how an incoming National Government would go about encouraging it.

" The meeting will give me the opportunity to develop relationships with people and companies who have common interests with New Zealand.

" 125 leaders of major technology companies will be represented, including a number of substantial companies operating in areas that complement New Zealand's own economy.

"Also while I am in the United States I have accepted an invitation by General Eberhart, the Commander in Chief of the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) and US Space Command, to tour the operations centre at Cheyenne Mountain. American defence policy is changing and we need to understand it.

" I am ambitious for National and New Zealand and this visit I know will allow me to develop those ambitions further," says Mr English.

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