Bureaus Exclusive

Australian SMEs to make their mark in China

By Li Wenfang (China Daily Guangdong Bureau)
Updated: 2010-08-11 17:24

From 15 to 18 September, Australian SMEs will make their presence known in Australia's largest export market, China, at the world's biggest SME trade fair, the 2010 China-Australia Small and Medium Enterprise Fair, held in Guangzhou.

China invites one foreign country to co-host the Fair each year and this year, Australia was chosen.

The Australian Government, led by the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade), will showcase industry sectors in which Australian SMEs play key roles, including food and beverage, wine, financial and business services, corporate training and education, clean technology and green building, creative and consumer goods.

Australian SMEs will exhibit their products and services at the Australian Pavilion, designed by MC Saatchi, which will reflect messages of inventiveness and modernity of Brand Australia.

A total of 200 Australian SMEs will fully occupy the 220 booths in the Australian Pavilion, which covers an area of 10,000sqm representing the largest gathering of Australian companies overseas for a trade event.

Austrade is lining up at least five business matching meetings for each participating SME to assist them with winning contracts; organising a gala dinner for approximately 1,000 guests; and collaborating with L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival organisers to host Australia's largest ever fashion event in China.

China-Australia Green Building and Eco-City Forum will be held at the Fair, the first of its kind to take place in China. The event will promote Australian green building and eco-city capabilities at the national and regional levels to at least 200 senior Chinese officials in charge of urban planning and construction, environmental protection, water treatment and energy saving as well as property developers and architects.

"The Fair is about creating opportunities for Australia's grass roots organisations, our SMEs, in China, Australia's most important trade partner," said Jeff Turner, Australia's Senior Trade Commissioner to Guangzhou.