BusinessWeek 2008

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Feature Event: BW08 Forum and Luncheon

MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER:
AUSTRALIA-CHINA BUSINESS WEEK FORUM LUNCHEON

I am pleased to extend my best wishes for the Australia China Business Week Forum 2008.
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Australia’s relationship with China is crucial to our long term prosperity. China is on a path towards becoming the world’s largest economy before the middle of the century. Its rapidly growing consumer markets create enormous opportunities for Australia’s small and medium size businesses, just as its hunger for mineral and energy resources have helped drive the rapid growth of Australia’s resources sector in recent years. China is now Australia’s largest merchandise trading partner, our third largest services export market, our largest source of overseas students and our fifth largest tourism market. Two-way merchandise trade increased five-fold in the last decade to $52.6 billion in 2007.

The Australian Government is committed to strengthening and building our trade, business and cultural links with China.   The Government has taken a proactive approach to facilitating dialogue between government and business communities in Australia and China, and we are committed to continuing efforts to expand access to Chinese markets for Australian businesses and investors. Importantly, China has recently agreed to establish a ministerial services round table to tackle marketaccess barriers between the two economies. Through the roundtable, the Australian Government will be working to expand the opportunities for Australian businesses to capitalise on the natural complementarities between our economies – including Australia’s know-how and expertise in financial services, environmental services and climate change technologies.

Events such as the Business Week Forum are an excellent opportunity to build links between Australian and Chinese businesses, and I hope all participants find the Forum productive and useful. A closer economic partnership with China is a critical element of building a modern Australia in the 21st century. Your efforts in broadening and deepening the links between Australia and China are important for now and for future generations.

The Honourable Kevin Rudd MP
Prime Minister of Australia

MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER:
AUSTRALIA-CHINA BUSINESS WEEK FORUM LUNCHEON

I would like to welcome all members of the business community to Australia-China BusinessWeek 2008.

brumby Australia-China BusinessWeek 2008 is an important event for Victoria which brings together business leaders from interstate and around the world. The event provides a forum for business leaders to explore new and innovative ideas, strategies and synergies in an increasingly global business world.

Australia-China BusinessWeek 2008 will focus on our robust relationship with China and our potential to expand these trade opportunities. China is Victoria’s number one trading partner, with two way trade at over A$10 billion in 2006/07.

Our strong trade relationship is indicative of Victoria’s highly skilled workforce and our competitive advantage in financial services, information and communication technology, biotechnologies, environment and energy technologies, manufacturing and design.

In my visit to China earlier this year, I was pleased to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the China Investment Promotion Agency and Trade Development Bureau. The Shanghai specific sector co-operation agreement was also launched. These agreements have put in place strong foundations in which to pursue further business and investment opportunities.

I wish you the best over the coming days and I hope there will be lively and productive discussions from all corners of the business world.

Hon John Brumby MP
Premier of Victoria

Luncheon Keynote Speakers

	Hon Anthony Byrne MP Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister.		Hon Joe Helper MP Minister Agriculture and Small Business.
	Wang Yongpu Economic & Commercial Counselor, The Consulate-General of the Peoples Republic of China		Tim Harcourt Chief Economist Austrade

The feature event of BusinessWeek 2008 will be the BW08 Forum Luncheon, an ideal opportunity for those looking to position themselves within the lucrative Chinese marketplace. The cream of trade and finance expertise in Asian trade will be attending, representing a unique opportunity for business looking to carve out their niche in Australia’s greatest trading partner. The Forum Luncheon provides a valuable overview of Australia’s unique position as a valued China trading partner, and explores the realities and pitfalls for Australian businesses in building and strengthening trade partnerships at a time of enormous opportunity.

It is also a unique opportunity for networking, bringing together many like-minded and driven businesspeople from both countries, eager to expand their understanding and operations on both sides of the South China Sea.

This high powered Forum attracts senior delegates from industry and government, from both around Australia and China. Four sessions cover relevant and timely advice and strategy for business professionals and industry observers. Other speakers include Professor Mark Crosby, Melbourne University and Christena Singh, Sensis Business Index.

A highlight will be a keynote speech from Phil Ruthven, founder and Executive Chairman of the IBIS Group.

To find out more and register click here

Networking Opportunity: Networking Breakfast

The BusinessWeek 2008 Networking Breakfast kicks off BusinessWeek with a luxurious breakfast in the company of the cream of trade and business innovation from both sides of the China Sea.

The growth opportunities for Australian businesses entering China are unprecedented in Australia’s export history. Australia-China relations have never been warmer, and business opportunities between the two countries have never been more lucrative. Recent changes in Chinese domestic and foreign trade policy have resulted in increased opportunities and encouragement for foreign investment and trade. This has opened up a world of prospects and the accompanying pitfalls. The BW08 Networking Breakfast is designed to put you face to face with those who will help you evaluate and manage the sometimes tricky path of foreign market opportunity. It is a unique opportunity to forge lasting associations and mutually beneficial business relationships which will be invaluable to any organization serious about expanding into Asia.

To be a part of it, click here