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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 10 Hansard (23 September) . . Page.. 3142 ..

MRS CARNELL (continuing):

With the assistance of the Beijing and Yangzhou governments, arrangements were made for trade exhibitions to be hosted in those cities and for invitations to be extended to relevant government and private sector representatives and potential joint venture partners. In addition to the trade exhibitions, a range of seminars were conducted by delegates, promoting specific industries as well as Canberra as a tourism, business and investment destination. The success of the trade exhibitions was reflected in the large number of participants - some 3,000 in Yangzhou and 2,000 in Beijing - and the level of interest shown in the participating firms.

In addition to this interest, a number of memorandums and agreements were signed, both at the government level and between Canberra and Chinese firms. I will shortly table the delegation report, containing copies of the government-to-government agreements, along with a detailed outline of the delegation's itinerary and the outcomes of the visit. It is worth noting, however, the potential significance of some of these agreements. From an ACT Government perspective, agreements signed with the central government relating to tourism are crucial, particularly in light of the potential for Australia to gain preferred destination status in the immediate future. These agreements include initiatives such as personnel exchanges; the airing on prime time Beijing television of a 20-minute promotional video on Canberra; and the ACT Government acting as the coordinating agent in relation to arranging inbound delegations from China on behalf of the Ministry for Trade and Economic Cooperation. An agreement with China Southern Airlines to progress up to 10 charter flights a year into Canberra will also provide a great boost to Canberra's tourism industry.

In addition to progressing tourism issues, agreements were signed in a number of other areas, including environmental management, hotel management, education, and fire and emergency services. But perhaps even more encouraging were the significant opportunities identified by the business representatives who took part in the CanTrade delegation. A number of local firms have entered into quite detailed agreements with Chinese partners that have the potential to deliver significant and positive impacts on our local economy. Many of these businesses are already planning return visits to China to finalise these arrangements.

I am pleased to announce that CanTrade is also in the process of planning a second business delegation for later this month, focusing on the southern China markets of Hong Kong and Guangzhou and the northern market of Beijing. In a country where business is built around personal contact and developing strong relationships, the priority given to China by CanTrade is, in fact, the only way to do business. I am confident that it is an approach that will reap some very significant and very exciting benefits for the Canberra community in the long run and one that should be commended. I am pleased to table, for members' information, a copy of a report on the CanTrade business delegation to China. I move:

That the Assembly takes note of the paper.

Debate (on motion by Mr Corbell) adjourned.

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