Chief Minister Terry Mills has announced that Darwin has been chosen to host the Australia-Japan Joint Business Conference in 2014.

Mr Mills said securing the major international event was a significant coup for the Northern Territory.

“The Australia-Japan Joint Business Conference is an important annual event which alternates between locations in Australia and Japan each year,” Mr Mills said.

“I am delighted to announce, that for the first time, the event will be coming to the Northern Territory in 2014 with Darwin to host the 52nd Conference.

“Having attended the 50th Australia-Japan Joint Business Conference in Sydney yesterday, I understand the significance of the event and its capacity to build important relations with Japan.

“The Conference brings together senior business executives and government officials from Japan and Australia for discussions on a wide rangeof business topics and future trade opportunities between the two countries.

“Some of Japan’s largest corporations such as Nippon Steel, Mitsubishi Corporation, Bank of Tokyo, Mitsui Group, ITOCHU Corporation, Toyota Corporation, NEC, Japan Airlines and of course Inpex are represented at the annual Conference.

“The 2014 Conference is expected to attract more than 300 delegates, half of which will be from Japan, providing a significant opportunity to directly showcase the diverse investment opportunities we have here in the Northern Territory.

“It will also place a national focus on the Territory as a place to do business, with major Australian corporations also represented.

“As well, the event will also be an opportunity to promote the Territory as a tourist destination to Japan and build on my Government’s plans to make this a major hub of the Territory’s economy.”

The 52nd Australia-Japan Joint Business Conference will be held at the Convention Centre during October 2014.