The group consisted of executives from local pillar enterprises with an objective of obtaining an overall understanding of the trade and business environment in the Hills district, promote Hebei enterprises and trade opportunities and explore potential business partners for their pillar companies.
The delegation visit was very timely considering the signing, following 10 years of negotiations, of the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and China.
“The world has become lot flatter than before through technology, the internet and lower cost international travel so I believe businesses can now effectively play on a global stage,” said Sydney Hills Business Chamber Chairman, Tony Eades.
“Our strength in innovation, professional services, tourism and medical here in Norwest and Greater Western Sydney would be of interest to companies in China and I believe the businesses looking to expand to Australia would welcome an ‘on the ground’ network of connections here.”
Aged Care was a clear topic of interest with one of the delegates from Hebei, Jingdong Yumei Kidney Disease Hospital looking to expand its health business further by establishing new aged care facilities like nursing home, and hoping to find potential Australian partners (either by franchising or investing in Australia). They were introduced to local companies like Realise Performance in Norwest who specialise in this field.
Hills Shire Council is driving major events and tourism for the region and met with Legend of Dragon Acrobatics Performance Co Ltd who organised the only Chinese team to the 3rd International Youth Circus Festival in Monaco this February and won the Silver Medal, and is looking for opportunities of bringing their shows to Australian audiences.
Following the welcome event at the Novotel Hotel, Norwest where the delegation met and exchanged business cards with 30 or so members of the Chamber, the party took to a tour of Norwest Business Park where they were impressed with how our heritage (Bella Vista Farm) and housing (Bella Vista) were harmoniously and cleverly integrated together. They were also interested in seeing the head office locations of Woolworths and ResMed together with the Norwest Private Hospital and nearby Westmead.
“We look forward to returning the Trade Delegation visit in the second half of this year when we intend to take local businesses from the Hills to Hebei.” Said Tony Eades.
“This is part of an MOU we signed to build a stronger bond between our two regions, develop trade shows in both countries to learn more about each others offerings and how we can work together and share our knowledge on export and import.”
The delegation also included Anguo Longsheng from Textile Machinery Co. Ltd who is looking to enter Australian market and introduce new textile mechanical technologies, however trade opportunities were not limited to just the three companies joining this first trade mission and the Department confirmed that it was looking to promote a broader range businesses.
The China Free Trade Agreement would see the removal of as much as $1 billion of tariff imposts from what Australian consumers pay for Chinese clothes, shoes, car components, cars and electronics as well as greater capital flows into Australian agriculture, finance, tourism, infrastructure and mining.
The Hebei Province has a GDP of 2.40 trillion Yuan (US$379 billion), population of 72 million with manufacturing one of its largest industries.
