Cable & Wireless Optus has joined Commerce One and 22 leading global companies to create the Global Trading Web Association (GTW Association).

The GTW Association is the world?s first commercial, international organisation focussed on the commercial development and expansion of international business to business e-commerce.

Cable & Wireless Optus will work with members of the GTW Association to promote secure international trade in goods and services as an alternative to traditional commerce. The GTW Association will create rules, standards, guidelines, policies and processes to enable seamless buying and selling globally over the web.

David Stokes-McKeon, Director of E-Solutions, Cable & Wireless Optus said Cable & Wireless Optus will represent the interests of Australian businesses as the online environment breaks down traditional geographical boundaries.

"Only a uniform, open platform allows businesses - buyers and suppliers - to get maximum cost saving benefits and efficiencies from international electronic trade," said Mr Stokes-McKeon.

CWO MarketSite, the online business to business marketplace, created by Cable & Wireless Optus for Australian and New Zealand business, allows buyers and suppliers to transact in real time. Through connection to the Global Trading Web TM, Australian and New Zealand business connected to CWO MarketSite will be able to sell goods online to businesses overseas as well as source goods at competitive prices from international markets.

"Not only will Australian and New Zealand suppliers have their goods available online to international markets, the GTW Association will create an international trading directory to allow them to reach new buyers," said Mr Stokes-McKeon.

"A common trading platform will allow purchase orders to be sent and received seamlessly around the world.

"With the creation of the Global Trading Web, we are working towards creating the largest community of interconnected businesses, trading online in a global marketplace."

Businesses participating in the GTW Association come from 18 countries and include Citibank (USA), Deutsche Telecom (Germany), NTT Communications (Japan), Toronto Dominion Bank (Canada) and Energy Exchange (UK).

For more information:
Melissa Favero
Cable & Wireless Optus
Phone: 02 9342 5030