"Access China" offers Business Matching to Promote HK-Victorian Trade
HONG KONG, May 17 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The Victorian Government of Australia has organised 28 food and beverage companies to Hong Kong this week to tap opportunities in the city. Two-third of these companies are first timers to Hong Kong who aim to open the doors to export to Hong Kong and further though Hong Kong to mainland China.
(Photo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/200705171647.JPG )
"Hong Kong is an important trading partner of Australia. Of the total food and agricultural product exports of Australia, 29%, or A$837 million, were exported to Hong Kong in 2005/2006, with a considerable sum of which re-exported to mainland China. Approximately 60% of these exports to Hong Kong, or A$500 million, came from the Victoria State. We see Hong Kong as an important springboard for Victorian companies to reach out to other lucrative Asian markets," Mr. Jock McGregor, Special Trade Envoy, North Asia, of the Australian Government, said.
Victoria takes up 3% of the land in Australia but it generates a quarter of Australia's GDP. Thanks to its natural resources and clean environment, Mr. McGregor sees enormous export opportunities in the dairy, meat and prepared food sectors. Manufacturers of meat, wine, prepared natural abalone, hydroponic tomatoes, diary products, organic olive oil and other natural flavoured beverages gathered in Hong Kong to seek export opportunities. Mr. McGregor said the aim is to grow export by 2-3% per annum to meet the target of A$30 billion agricultural export by 2010.
The Victorian Government's Hong Kong office embarked on an "Access China" programme to bring Victorian companies to Hong Kong since 2004 to explore business opportunities in this dynamic city, and further to the lucrative China market. Ms. Dilys Wong, Senior Business Development Manager -- Exports of the Victorian Government Business Office in Hong Kong said the office promotes Hong Kong-Victoria trade by offering supporting services such as business matching. "We offer both out-bound and in-bound services to business entities to foster cooperation with Victoria. In addition to international trade exhibitions which are mainly for Victorian companies to come meet with buyers from other parts of the world, we also arrange tours for interested buyers to visit manufacturers and companies in Victoria."
The response to Access China programme is a testimony to its success. Since its launch, over 273 Victorian companies have been brought to Hong Kong. The Victorian Government's Hong Kong office has already overtaken the San Francisco office in terms of the number of companies it has introduced to the city.
Contact:
State Government of Victoria Australia
Dilys Wong
Tel: +852-2587-1133
Fax: +852-2802-9675
Email: dilys.wong@iird.vic.gov.au
