SYDNEY, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- "I'm not satisfied with the status quo. In terms of Australia-China bilateral trade, we can absolutely do more," Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell said in a recent interview with Xinhua.
Farrell said Australia-China trade is a two-way partnership built on market demand and economic complementarity. China is Australia's largest trading partner, with two-way trade exceeding 300 billion Australian dollars last year, "but I think there is still room for further cooperation between us."
To help Australian companies expand into overseas markets, the Australian government has launched a 55-million-Australian-dollar "New Market Expansion Initiative," of which supporting businesses to exhibit in China is an important component. "We encourage Australian companies to enter the Chinese market and look for new trade opportunities," Farrell said.
A five-time participant in the China International Import Expo (CIIE), Farrell described the expo as an important platform for Australian firms to deepen their presence in China. Nearly 190 Australian companies will take part this year, a record, showcasing food, dairy, meat, seafood, wine and beverages, as well as health products and consumer goods.
"The CIIE is a valuable opportunity, and we look forward to this year's participation becoming the starting point for new cooperative relationships," he said, adding that Australian products enjoy a solid market base in China.
Farrell also argued that engaging the Chinese market should not be limited to a single product or sector. He cited joint events staged by Australian wineries, Meat & Livestock Australia and Tourism Australia in Beijing and Nanjing, where wine, beef and travel offerings were presented together to link different industries and expand trade space.
