A Perth conference which aims to strengthen business ties between Western Australia and its biggest agribusiness trading partner China has attracted strong international interest.
The Western Australia-China Agribusiness Cooperation Conference will provide businesses with the opportunity to network and enhance relationships across the agriculture and food industry.
More than 300 delegates are attending today’s (9 April) event, including about 160 delegates representing various business interests in China and supported by provincial governments.
This conference brings together Chinese and Western Australian business and government leaders to share knowledge, facilitate business matching and identify key trade and investment opportunities along the supply chain.
Focus areas include beef, wine, dairy, grains and fodder, horticulture, premium food and fisheries.
Representation from China includes the provinces of Zhejiang, Shanghai and Jiangsu, Shandong, Liaoning, Jiangxi, Anhui and Shaanxi.
The conference was officially opened by Western Australian Agriculture and Food Minister Ken Baston.
The conference is hosted by the Department of Agriculture and Food and supported by the InvestWest Agribusiness Alliance, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIWA), the Australia-China Business Council, the Department of State Development, the Department of Regional Development (DRD) and the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Perth.
Key event sponsors are ANZ, Ernst & Young, Minter Ellison, CCIWA and DRD.
Western Australia has an export-based agriculture and food sector, with about 80 per cent of current production sold to international markets.
China was ranked as WA’s biggest market for agriculture and food products in 2012-13, valued at more than A$1 billion in 2012-13, led by wool, barley, canola, wheat and sheep skins. Wine was in seventh position.
Discussion topics at the conference, themed ‘Investing and Growing Together’ include global trends in agribusiness, infrastructure projects and WA agribusiness investment opportunities.
Media contacts: Jodie Thomson/Lisa Bertram, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937