LYONS Liberal MHR Eric Hutchinson has today called on local businesses to support one of Australia’s biggest ever trade missions to China next month.
It is expected that the delegation will include about 600 business people as part of the Australia Week in China event.
Mr Hutchinson said that businesses which are serious about expanding their activities in China or pursuing new opportunities should submit an expression of interest to be part of the April 8-11 delegation.
“Trade missions such as this provide great opportunities for businesses to gain valuable information and make important contacts,’’ Mr Hutchinson said.
The trade mission will include events across a wide range of sectors including agribusiness, mining equipment, technology and services, education, health, tourism, food, beverage and consumer goods including luxury goods and fashion, financial services and urban planning and architectural services.
Events will be held in four main Chinese cities _ Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu and Guangzhou.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott will be at the Australia Week in China as part of a broader north Asia visit in early April.
He will also lead separate business missions to Japan and Korea.
While China is already Australia’s largest trading partner with two way trade reaching $130 billion last year, there is still great scope to deepen the relationship beyond the import of Chinese consumables and the export of Australia’s natural resources, Mr Hutchinson said.
“We have a lot of room to increase our engagement with China in areas such as financial, architectural, engineering, health, medical and other technology services,’’ he said.
Those interested in participating in the trade mission to China can find more information at the Austrade site, http://www.austrade.gov.au/export/events/international-events/awic-2014/eoi
