Aussie businesses more active in China after FTA inked
Niall Blair (right), Trade Minister of New South Wales in Australia, sees exhibits at a showroom of Australian products located at Shanghai Mart. He is accompanied by Paula Martin, general manager of the Australian Business Chamber.
Australian traders have seen rapid business growth in China in the past two years after the signing of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, and four new trade deals were signed in Shanghai today under the witness of Niall Blair, trade minister of New South Wales in Australia.
“China has been one of the largest and fastest growing export destinations for New South Wales," said Blair during an interview after the signing ceremony. "Chinese people stress more on quality, safety and freshness -- the three things I hear most during this trip -- which means a lot of business opportunities for Australian companies."
The one-week visit of China was Blair's first international trip after he took the post, indicating the importance of the country, he said.
At the ceremony, four Australian exporters, including Blue Dinosaur, Go Fresh International and Koala Eco, signed memorandum of understanding with their Chinese partners.
China and Australia signed the FTA in June 2015, which removes duties from over 85 percent of goods and services traded and will cut almost all tariffs within nine years.
To lift trade, the Australian Business Chamber opened its first overseas office in Shanghai in 2015 and launched a program to help Australian firms tap the Chinese market.
Through the program, the chamber has helped 158 Australian exporters accomplish 304 projects in the past two years. Paula Martin, general manager of the chamber, said it would further escalate with closer business ties between the two countries.
