Expanded opportunities for the Australian Business Sector

Sydney, May 16, 2013 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Despite the global drop in foreign direct investment, China's ODI has been on the rise over the past five years, and China ranked as the fifth largest investor worldwide in 2012. At the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2013, President Xi Jinping said that China's accumulative ODI in the next five years will reach $500 billion, while the country set a target of 15 % for ODI growth in 2013.

Within this context, the Chinese government will now raise the number of negotiations on investment protection agreements with foreign countries, and simplify & reduce administrative approval procedures related to outbound investment. Government officials in China have also recently pledged to improve delivery of services, simplify their procedures and initiate further negotiations with foreign governments to help Chinese companies to invest in overseas markets.

Liu Hongkuan, Deputy Director of the National Development and Reform Commission's Department of Foreign Capital and Overseas Investment, said that the government will expand its role as a facilitator in the ongoing expansion of China's outbound direct investment.

"The core task for the Chinese government is to create a convenient and smooth environment for domestic companies," said Zhao Jinping, a senior researcher with the Development Research Center of the State Council. Zhao also suggested the Chinese government should enhance international investment cooperation and improve outbound investment laws and regulations.
This is all good news for Australian business community in general, and some key industry sectors in particular. As Australian voters head to the polls in September 2013, the Liberal Party may well be voted in as the next Federal Government. The outcome of the election for investors here and abroad is that it's likely to make a little difference to the continuing stability of Australian Stock market in general terms. The ASX All Ordinaries Index has surged from 1989 right up to the GFC in 2008, and has held its own against many other Western economies since.

Australia's stable political and economic climate makes it an attractive proposition for those investors in China seeking to take advantage of their Government's determination to make it easier to reach out & form alliances here that can lead to established business relationships.

A key platform for both Chinese and Australian businessmen to engage with one another is provided by the Australian Business Forum, a commercial & independent non-political organisation that supports Australian businesses wanting to do business in China and elsewhere in Asia.

The platform is called the Australia China Business Week, (ACBW) a road show of three Key Events in 2013, to be expanded to at least four in 2014. After a successful launch with its Shanghai Event, which concluded on 12 April in Shanghai, the next stop is Melbourne on 19 June, and then on to Sydney on 28 August.

The events on the day will be focused around networking and optimising the opportunities available for both Australian and Chinese delegates. The four aspects of the event: Breakfast, Forums, Luncheon and Mix at Six Networking Function will fundamentally target operations, marketing, human resources and financial concerns, with a powerful networking focus in order to strategically assist Australian businesses as they take the leap to work in China. ACBW 2013 will also feature a Chinese Forum which will run parallel to the Australian program, to strategically assist Chinese investors looking at Australia as a strong opportunity. Now in its sixth year, ACBW has established itself as a proven business platform to help SMEs take their business to the next level in a market emerging on the world's stage. At the end of the day, all delegates will have the opportunity to network with each other, as Chinese investors and Australian businesses come together to foster new relationships and make long-lasting connections.

For information or to register to attend ACBW 2013 Melbourne & Sydney, visit:
http://acbw2013.com.au/

Contact

Doris Li Marketing and Communications Manager Australian Business Forum doris.li@abforum.com.au TEL: +613 8689 9887