Trade Minister to boost links with China and launch Australia Unlimited internationally
15 May 2010
Trade Minister Simon Crean will depart for China today to pursue new opportunities in Australia’s trade and economic relationship with China.
Mr Crean will conduct the annual economic dialogue in Beijing where he will raise FTA negotiations ahead of the next round of talks in June in Beijing.
At the Shanghai World Expo 2010, Mr Crean will launch Australia Unlimited internationally, following its successful domestic launch in Sydney yesterday.
“Shanghai Expo is the perfect place to launch Australia Unlimited on the international stage,” Mr Crean said.
“Shanghai Expo will be this year’s biggest international event and the world's largest Expo ever.”
“I will be launching Australia Unlimited on May 20 at the Australian Pavilion at Expo. The Australian Pavilion is already among the top five foreign venues for Chinese visitors at Expo and attracting 40,000 visitors a day."
This will be Mr Crean’s seventh visit to China as Trade Minister. As he continues to develop commercial opportunities through Australia's two track strategy in China, Mr Crean will visit Beijing and the north eastern province of Shandong, as well as Shanghai.
In Beijing, Mr Crean will co-chair the annual High-level Economic Cooperation Dialogue in Beijing on 17 May together with the Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, Mr Zhang Ping. The dialogue will focus on bilateral trade and investment, minerals and energy resources, climate change, transport and infrastructure.
Mr Crean will also visit the port city of Tianjin and Shandong province to take forward opportunities for business cooperation in rapidly growing regional areas in non-traditional areas such as services, agribusiness, clean energy, and green design and construction
In Tianjin, which is the sister city to Melbourne, Mr Crean will support the signing of an MoU between Tianjin and Australian company AIMS Financial Group, to jointly develop a sustainable tourism township.
In Shanghai, aside from launching Australia Unlimited, Mr Crean will also finalise a framework agreement with Anhui province, to match Australian industry capabilities with opportunities for cooperation with Anhui in the automotive, agribusiness and mineral resources sectors.
The agreement is part of Australia’s commercial strategy to enhance our economic links with China’s rapidly developing inland areas, and is a direct outcome of Mr Crean’s visit to Anhui in July last year, together with Innovation Minister Kim Carr.
Two-way trade last year with China was worth $83 billion. The 15th round of FTA negotiations is scheduled for late June in Beijing.
“China is our biggest trading partner and its economy is expected to grow by 10 per cent this year, an FTA would open up further opportunities,” Mr Crean said.
Brand Australia is a $20 million program is promoting Australia as a dynamic and creative nation and a great place to do business – not just a tourist destination.
Media inquiries
Trade Minister's Office: (02) 6277 7420
Departmental Media Liaison: (02) 6261 1555