September 2008
Export and market development activities
Applications for the 2008 Tasmanian Export Awards have now closed. We would like to take the opportunity to thank all our participating exporters for entering these presitigious awards and we wish them every success. We extend a grateful thank you to our sponsors, TasPorts, Australian Government (AusIndustry) UK Trade & Investment, Caterpillar Underground Mining, Aurora Energy, Austrade, Commonwealth Bank and The Examiner Newspaper.
The 2008 Tasmanian Export Awards program is recognised as one of the most important events on the business calendar, and it's the state's highest recognition of excellence for companies exporting goods and services. Entrants this year range from sole traders through to large manufacturing organisations. Winners of the Tasmanian Export Awards qualify for judging for the national finals held later in the year.
The winners of the Tasmanian Export Awards will be announced at a gala dinner to be held at Wrest Point in Hobart on 10 October 2008. We would like to extend an invitation for you to attend this event and enjoy what promises to be a wonderful evening. If you are interested in attending the event please contact Fransina Barns on (03) 62335752 or email fransina.barns@development.tas.gov.au
In July 2008, the Export and Market Development Unit facilitated and coordinated a visit to Tasmania by executives from the Whitebait & Kale (WBK), Singapore restaurant group. WBK has a group of restaurants and is looking to source new products and meet with new and existing Tasmanian suppliers to the Singapore food service market. WBK are undertaking a two month Tasmanian product promotion in the restaurant and a number of companies will travel to Singapore to participate in this promotion and associated events.
The industry visits included a trade dinner and showcase presentations from Abalone Farms Australia, Ashgrove Cheese, Australian Honey Products, Grandvewe Cheeses, Kreglinger Wine Estates, Lark Distillery, Marine Culture, Meadowbank Estate, Petuna Seafoods, Red Kelly’s Tasmania, Spring Bay Seafoods, Oyster Bay Oysters, Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company and Blue Hills Honey.
For more information on Whitebait & Kale, please visit the website: www.whitebaitandkale.com
Tasmania Unbottled Road Show
1 September 2008 – Sydney and 3 September 2008 – Brisbane.
Tasmania Unbottled was the largest ever showing of Tasmanian wines in Sydney and Brisbane with more than 150 wines from 28 top producers offered including Sparkling and Pinot Noir along with Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Tasmanian wine tasting event was held in Sydney at the Museum of Contemporary Art and in Brisbane at the Brisbane City Hall. This promotional event was jointly organised by Wine Industry Tasmania (WIT) and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. The event targeted the trade and wine media as well as consumers who paid to attend. There was also a master class led by Tasmanian wine experts focussing on award winning Pinot Noir from Tasmania.
Each of the promotional events was well attended, with more than 600 trade and consumers attending.
The Export and Market Development Unit recently coordinated the participation of three Tasmanian companies in a Tasmanian exhibit at the Health Informatics Conference 2008 (HIC‘08) and Health-e-Nation 2008, which was held in Melbourne from 31 August – 3 September 2008.
The three companies that participated were Verdant Tasmania, Healthcare Software and Nunatak Business Solutions.
HIC’08 is Australia’s premier conference on Health Informatics, the discipline that deals with the collection, storage, retrieval, communication and optimal use of health related data, information and knowledge. Health-e-Nation 2008 explores how ICT is helping to deliver quality solutions in hospitals, general and specialist practises, community, home based and aged care. In recent years a growing number of Tasmanian ICT companies are developing software solutions for the health and medical sectors.
HIC’08 provided companies with the opportunity to further penetrate the ever-growing national e-health market and generate genuine sales leads that can boost the Tasmanian ICT industry.
For more information about the event contact Mark Warrener on (03) 6233 5879 or email Mark.Warrener@development.tas.gov.au
Australasia Aquaculture 2008 Exhibition and Conference, Brisbane
The Export and Market Development Unit successfully coordinated a Tasmanian grouping of companies servicing the aquaculture sector, at a three-day exhibition and conference held in Brisbane during 4–6 August 2008. All participating companies indicated that while visitor numbers were down on attendance from the 2006 exhibition held in Adelaide, the majority of leads secured from this event appear, in the early stages, to be strong and offering good potential commercial success. The Tasmanian group included AQ1 Systems, Fiomarine Industries, Imbros Pty Ltd, Plastic Fabrications Pty Ltd, Technolab Marketing Pty Ltd SED Shellfish Equipment Pty Ltd.
Asian Stonefruit Market Access Trade Mission
The Export and Market Development Unit accompanied by Minister David Llewellyn MP (Korea and Japan only), travelled with a delegation of fruit growers on a visit to Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong, to pursue market access and commercial opportunities. The visit was critically timed in view of the forthcoming season and increasing production of cherries in Tasmania. From a production base of about 2 000 tonnes 18 months ago, the expected crop this season is likely to be 4 000 tonnes and increasing to 8 000 tonnes by 2011. Developing export markets is therefore a key strategy of the industry.
Korean agriculture and quarantine officials displayed a cooperative attitude to Tasmania’s market access application, but still have to complete the last four stages of investigations. Approval to import cannot be expected until, at best, the 2009/2010 season. In contrast, Japanese approval for a change to the existing protocol, in removing the need for pre-shipment fumigation of fruit, is in the final stages and likely to be granted within months. The Taiwanese and Hong Kong markets are both accessible to Tasmania.
Besides meeting quarantine officials, a number of meetings were held with importers and potential importers in all four countries. Taiwanese and Hong Kong buyers are already familiar with Tasmanian cherries, which some regard as the best in the world.
The visit to these markets has provided a catalyst for the industry to consider cooperative ways to reduce costs and improve marketing methods.
Ausdex 2009 is a new event on the International Defence and Security Industry calendar, which is planned to be held at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre in Western Australia from 9-12 November 2009. Ausdex will be the only event of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region that not only promotes new trends in the air, sea and land operating environments but will also showcase current and emerging trends for security, intelligence, law enforcement, crisis response and emergency service providers. For further information please visit www.ausdex2009.com or contact Kim McShane on (03) 6233 5828 or email Kim.Mcshane@development.tas.gov.au.
Bemco India Retail Buyer Visit
A delegation from India consisting of three Indian retail chains, SPAR, HyperCity Retail and Nature’s Basket, together with an Indian importer, Epicure, visited Tasmania in August 2008. The visit, arranged through the Victorian food and beverage consolidator Bemco Australia, enabled the buyers to select Tasmanian products for an Australian themed retail food promotion which will be held in November 2008.
The Export and Market Development Unit held an event to showcase Tasmanian companies interested in participating in the India promotion. Companies were given an opportunity to introduce and provide samples of their products to each of the visiting retail chains. The following Tasmanian companies participated in this event, Red Kelly’s Gourmet Foods, Australian Honey Products, Cripps Nu-Bake, Mure’s Tasmania, Tamar Valley Dairy, Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company, Fruit Growers Tasmania, Blue Hills Honey, and Juicy Isle.
Inward Media , The Age Newspaper
The Export and Market Development Unit facilitated and coordinated a visit to Tasmania by Richard Cornish from Epicure section of The Age Newspaper. This reporter was writing an article on the Tasmanian oyster industry focusing on the seeding, farming, growing locations, industry innovations and marketing, which Tasmania has a prominent lead in this seafood sector.
The Tasmanian companies that participated in this visit included Australian Seafood Industries, Cameron of Tasmania, Department of Health and Safety – Tasmanian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program, Freycinet Marine Farm, Marine Culture, Oyster Bay Oysters, Shellfish Culture, Spring Bay Seafoods, Kreglinger Wine Estates and The Lark Distillery.
The Export and Market Development Unit facilitated a visit to Tasmania by Mr Sergio Guevara Escamilla, Director General from the Mexican company Inter Mareal. Inter Mareal is situated in Ensenada, Baja California and is acknowledged as the leading supplier of mussels from that area. As part of the expansion of this business the company is now involved with oyster aquaculture and will be purchasing an oyster sorter from a Tasmanian company called SED Shellfish Equipment Pty Ltd. This will be the company's first working machine in the Northern American region.
The China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) attracts more than 10 000 business professionals from over 100 countries, and generates billions of dollars in investment and trade. In 2007 alone, CIFIT saw over US$20 billion in foreign capital invested in China, and over US$550 million invested by Chinese companies abroad. This year there is to be a large Australian Pavilion, providing the opportunity for the largest Australian participation ever. Full details are available at www.cifit-australia-pavilion.com/index.html
Given that there has been Tasmanian participation at the event previously and that Fujian Province is the sister province of Tasmania, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism is seeking expressions of interest from Tasmanian enterprises that may wish to participate. Interested enterprises are requested to contact Kim McShane on (03) 6233 5828 or email on kim.mcshane@development.tas.gov.au
ICT Industry Asia Trade Mission
The Export and Market Development Unit is in communication with a number of Tasmanian ICT companies with regards to participation in a business-matching trade mission to Asia in November 2008. The proposed mission will focus on new markets in Vietnam, Thailand and Taiwan. Initial prospects for business meetings include universities, tertiary institutions including international schools and education software sellers. Interested enterprises are requested to contact Mark Warrener on (03) 6233 5879 or email mark.warrener@development.tas.gov.au
Industry news
Congratulations – Blue Hills Honey
Tasmanian Blue Hills Leatherwood Honey was elected as 'Best New Organic Food Product' at the Organic Expo in July 2008. For more details of the award and the Organic Expo, follow the link below:
Blue Hills Honey PRESS RELEASE July 2008
Exporting to Japan Seminar 2008
HOBART – 3 October 2008
With an expert panel to answer your questions, this free seminar is an excellent opportunity to learn about common issues for exporters of Australian food products to Japan. The seminar will also highlight trends and opportunities for Australian products in Japan and discuss recent food safety issues.
Discover how you can overcome the challenges and benefit from new import and distribution requirements and heightened consumer sensitivity, as Japanese distributors seek products with strong traceability credentials, including Australian products.
FHC China Exhibition – Shanghai December 2008
FHC China runs from 4-6 December 2008 and is China’s largest gathering of international food, wine and hospitality suppliers, offering the best route to the Chinese market.
The Australian representatives for the 2008 event are the Australian Wine and Brandy Corp (AWBC), Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and Food Adelaide. They have committed to the lead stands on three separate areas, wine Australia, meat Australia and food Australia, which includes additional space for individual Australian companies wishing to exhibit at China’s leading international food and wine event.
View links for further information on the three separate Australian areas including exhibition costs, select food, meat or wine as appropriate.
FHC China Australian Food Exporters
FHC China Australian Meat Exporters
European Union’s new chemicals legislation
On 1 June 2008 the European Union's (EU) new chemicals legislation, REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals), entered its key phase of mandatory pre-registration of chemical substances. Failure to pre-register chemical substances during the period of 1 June 2008 to 1 December 2008, may affect the ability of some Australian companies to do business with the EU. It covers all chemical substances, manufactured in or imported into the EU, in quantities of one tonne or more per year. For more information please visit
www.dfat.gov.au/trade/infocus/reach.html
Australia concludes Southeast Asia trade deal
Australia has concluded negotiations for the region-wide ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA). This is market of 570 million people with a combined GDP of US$1 trillion. Australia stands to gain considerably from this agreement, with market access gains in a wide range of sectors including agriculture, industrial products and services such as engineering, education and the financial sector. This is the most comprehensive trade agreement that ASEAN has ever negotiated. In terms of coverage, it's the largest FTA Australia has ever negotiated – covering 16 per cent of Australia's trade in goods and services, worth $71 billion.
More information please visit www.trademinister.gov.au/releases/2008/sc_070.html
Austal’s catamarans on delivery to Hong Kong
The first vessels to be completed at Austal's Tasmanian shipyard have commenced their 14 day delivery voyage to Hong Kong via the east coast of Australia onboard liftship 'Pantanal'.
The two 47.5 metre high speed passenger catamarans, built for New World First Ferry (NWFF) in Macau, are scheduled to enter service in October 2008 to meet the growing tourism demand generated from the dramatic increase in Macau's tourist arrivals since the development of its gaming and mega-resort industry.
These are set to join five similar Austal passenger catamarans already in service in the NWFF fleet, the latest ferries, named 'New Ferry LXXXVII' and 'New Ferry LXXXVIII' will operate at a service speed of 42 knots while carrying 418 passengers.
Austal was awarded the contract in February 2007 to build repeats of its proven design, which had been optimised to meet NWFF's requirements.
The two vessels are among 16 Austal passenger ferries currently on order for the Chinese and Hong Kong region, nine of which have already been delivered. Upon completion of its latest order, Austal will have delivered 52 vessels to the region.
For more information please visit www.seabreeze.com.au/News/Sailing/First-Ferries-Depart-Austal-Tasmania_1799313.aspx
Australia-India FTA Joint Feasibility Study
The completion of the feasibility study for an Australia-India Free Trade Agreement has been brought forward to the end of 2008, reflecting the priority of both governments to enhance the economic relationship. The Joint Feasibility Study Group will meet again in Canberra in early October 2008. Almost 50 written submissions have been received so far. For more information please visit www.dfat.gov.au/geo/india/fta-study/index.html
Professional Development and Educational Opportunities
Export and Market Development Unit will facilitate a two-day Export Practices Workshop delivered by the Australian Institute of Export in Launceston on 18-19 November 2008. The workshop will examine in detail the principles of export documentation, international law, marine insurance, and banking and finance.
Very useful and practical information about export documentation will be provided by industry experts over the two-day session.
If you are interested to know more about this workshop or to register for this workshop, please contact Caleb Wright on (03) 6336 2263 or email caleb.wright@development.tas.gov.au
Brief news and other opportunities
Japanese Media Releases
Recent and current Japanese media releases issued to the Department of Economic Development and Tourism include:
- Japan-Australia EPA Negotiations to Begin on 28 July
- Nippon Meat to Launch Bluefin Tuna Farming Venture
- Trading Houses Cool to Investment in Overseas Farms
- Nomura Research Institute to Launch Water Resources
- Research Project with Australia
- Japan, Australia to Push for WTO Trade Deal by the Year End
- Japanese Firms Head Down Under in Search Of Resource Riches
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) travel advisories are the Australian Government’s advice to its citizens regarding the perceived travel risks and precautions that individuals should exercise. For further information please visit www.dfat.gov.au
For information on Australian suppliers across all industry sectors, the Austrade Suppliers Database provides a powerful search tool, to access the database click on the link.
Summary Calendar of Events
2008
|
Event |
Dates |
Contact |
|
Fine Food Melbourne |
22–25 September 2008 |
|
|
Export Awards Presentation Night |
10 October 2008 |
|
|
Whitebait & Kale Trade Mission to Singapore |
11-15 October 2008 |
|
|
ICT Industry Asia Trade Mission |
November 2008 |
|
|
Export Practices Workshop |
18-19 November 2008 |
|
|
Thoroughbred Racing China/Japan |
November 2008 |
|
|
Workboat New Orleans |
3-6 December 2008 |
|
|
Australasian Oil and Gas |
17 -19 February 2009 |
|
If you have any Export and Market Development queries please contact George Chambers on (03) 6233 5792 or email George.Chambers@development.tas.gov.au. If you wish to subscribe to ExportActive please send an email to export@development.tas.gov.au with the words "ExportActive Newsletter Subscription" in the subject heading. If you no longer wish to receive ExportActive please send an email to export@development.tas.gov.au with the words "ExportActve Un-subscribe" in the subject heading. |
|||
|
|||