AT least two Tasmanian companies will be part of the huge Australian trade mission to China led by Prime Minister Tony Abbott which starts on Monday.
Southern Tasmanian based companies Tas Prime Oysters, from Cambridge and Tasmanian Seafoods, from Margate, will be among the 600 Australian business delegates accompanying Mr Abbott and Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb to China.
Tas Prime Oysters is Australia’s leading exporter of live oysters and has built a strong reputation for quality and service with both domestic and international customers.
Tasmanian Seafoods has been producing and exporting high quality seafood since 1970.
Since then it has grown to be one of the largest processors of abalone in the country.
Federal Lyons MP Eric Hutchinson said that the trade mission to China was the biggest to leave Australia’s shores.
He said that the mission would focus on growing Australia’s already strong partnership with China across our country’s sectors of strength including agribusiness, food, beverage and consumer goods, education and training, financial services, health and senior living, resources, mining equipment, technology and services, tourism and investment.
“China buys over a quarter of our exports – 28 per cent in 2012-13,’’ Mr Hutchinson said.
“It accounted for 36 per cent of Australia’s goods exports at a total value of $94.5 billion last year.’’
Australia Week in China will present businesses with the opportunity to make valuable contacts, meet with Chinese industry leaders and decision makers and develop further cultural understanding of the business landscape, Mr Hutchinson said.
More than 80 business events will be held in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou as well as Hong Kong over the five days from next Monday.
Federal Lyons MP Eric Hutchinson
