29 JANUARY 2005, Page 16

Everyone benefits Douglas Alexander tells UK music industry: Government pledges continuing help to reach US and China.

This year 20 music events are being organised (up six on last year) and UK Trade & Investment will allocate nearly half a million pounds to promote the industry overseas in key markets like the US and China.... Douglas Alexander, minister for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs, will attend Midem, the largest international music trade fair event in the world, in Cannes on 24 January, and will begin his visit with a lunch reception hosted by representatives of the Music Business Forum. This will be followed by a visit to see the new ‘British at Midem’ music village where he will meet many of the 300 delegates from a wide range of music genres and businesses. He will then address and meet with key international delegates and hear an acoustic performance by Guy Chambers and Sophie Hunter.

Issued by: UK Trade & Investment, 24 January.

Ross Clark