A RECORD number of business representatives travelling to China for major trade expo highlights demand for Australian goods, federal trade minister Don Farrell says.
Senator Farrell jetted off to Shanghai this week for the world’s biggest import fair—the China International Import Expo (CIIE).
According to the minister’s office, CIIE is an important platform for Australian businesses to showcase their world-class goods and services to our largest export market.
“I am proud to support a record 256 Australian businesses at CIIE this year as together we seek opportunities to grow and diversify their markets,” Senator Farrell said.
“Australian businesses exhibiting at CIIE will showcase a wide range of products seeing strong demand in the Chinese market: from packaged foods, dairy, meat, seafood, wine and beverages to healthcare and consumer goods.”
The expo is expected to deliver “real outcomes” for Aussie exporters.
“I will have an opportunity to witness the signing of commercial MOUs worth millions of dollars between Australian and Chinese businesses,” Senator Farrell said.
The event is also said to provide an opportunity to promote Australia as a tourist destination.
Senator Farrell is meeting China’s commerce minister, Wang Wentao to discuss several bilateral issues that said to be “significant to the Australia-China relationship, as well as broader international trade developments”.
“China is our largest trading partner and will remain so for the foreseeable future, with total two-way trade reaching $312 billion in 2024,” the minister said.
“The record number of Australian businesses travelling to the expo means our world class agricultural, industrial and services exports are on show and ready to meet Chinese demand.
“Australia is a trading nation and our government is committed to finding new markets and new opportunities for Australian exporters.”