Launch of online 'one-stop shop' - Business and Investment Gateway

19/1/2000
The State Government's new online 'one-stop shop', the Business and Investment Gateway, has been launched by Acting Premier and Minister for Commerce and Trade Hendy Cowan.
Twenty Government agencies are involved with the online service, to be known as Big.WA, which will spearhead the Government's investment promotion and be staffed to provide tailored information on request.
Mr Cowan said the Business and Investment Gateway incorporated the best of Western Australia's internationally known website technology and provided business people with a single point of entry to a comprehensive range of information and advice.
"Whether people want to start a new business, develop an existing one, or simply explore our business environment, using this single portal will fast-track them to relevant, up-to-date information," he said.
"A one-stop shop means prospective business partners or investors won't have to worry about 'which Government agency does what'.
"With the Gateway, a huge spread of information and advice is laid out for seamless access, 24 hours a day and seven days a week."
Mr Cowan emphasised that Big.WA offered more than a list of links, but a comprehensive service.
"A full-time co-ordinator will handle specific questions from site visitors and tailor information for that 'client' - whether they're in Manila or Melbourne," he said.
"The spread of information covers anything a business organisation or individual could conceivably want to know about the State. This covers the gamut of details of regulations and policies, our infrastructure and industry, through to sophisticated analysis of the State's economic performance or 'quality of life' indicators."
The Gateway can be accessed at the following addresses: http://www.big.wa.gov.au or http://www.business.wa.gov.au
Managed by the Department of Commerce and Trade, the Business and Investment Gateway offers a number of other service features, including:

• linkage with the Federal Government's online Business Entry Point service, with business/investment information for all States;
• access to 'business scenarios' - case studies from various industries, prepared for visitors who are well advanced in considering a business venture here; and -
• access to contact details for nominated Government officers (located through a 'subject search' mechanism).

The service will be publicised both in Australia and overseas, through Commerce and Trade's network of international trade and investment offices.
Mr Cowan said the service was one of the most significant achievements of the Government's 'Online WA' program, which promoted the adoption of online services and electronic commerce across WA.
"The Gateway establishes a benchmark for State Government online services in exploiting the most advanced communications technology," he said.
"It is also an excellent example of the degree of cross-Government co-operation which this Government has been able to achieve, resulting in improved services for Western Australians and other clients."
Media contact: Peter Jackson 9222-9595