AustCham Shanghai Expo Working Group Chair and President of BlueScope Steel China, Bob Moore talks about how to get involved in Expo through the Australian Chamber of Commerce, Shanghai.

The AustCham Shanghai Expo Working Group was founded in 2007 to provide members of the Chamber with the latest information about Expo, the Australian Pavilion and with details about how to get involved. The success of the group, combined with the overwhelming interest of members, has placed AustCham Shanghai in a strong position to act as a bridge between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, coordinating Australia’s expo presence, and Australian companies in China.
In the lead up to Expo, the Chamber has worked very closely with the DFAT team, culminating in a formalisation of this relationship through a MOU. The MOU affirms the co-operation and advancement of mutual interests regarding Australia’s participation in Expo 2010, working towards our mutual objectives of:
• boosting trade and investment by using the Pavilion as a platform for events on site and as part of wider activities;
• projecting a contemporary Australia as: technologically innovative, with a dynamic and robust economy; culturally diverse and harmonious; having strong creative arts, education, training and research capabilities; and
• strengthening bilateral ties, by reinforcing existing links and cultivating new areas of cooperation and exchange.
The close working relationship with DFAT has led to several discussions on how to leverage Australia’s presence at the Expo through the Australian Pavilion. The results of these discussions include plans to increase the opportunities for AustCham members to receive invitations to pavilion-hosted events by sharing membership details with Commonwealth agencies, state and territory partners and corporate sponsors AustCham Shanghai will also assist as a key contact point for event hosts seeking ideas for guests speakers in forums and roundtables, and specific advice on invitation lists. AustCham Shanghai members will enjoy the benefits of these recommendations and referrals.
We are also discussing the distribution of an AustCham Shanghai guide to doing business in China to pavilion slotmachines VIP guests. As part of the MOU, AustCham Shanghai will host three member exclusive events in the VIP area of the Australian pavilion. These events will include an Australia China Business Awards event (held jointly with other Australian chambers of commerce in China), a boardroom style event and a Gala dinner.
AustCham Shanghai will also work with other Australian Pavilion stakeholders on collaborative events which will be open to members both in and out of Expo.

*To learn more about the benefits of AustCham Shanghai’s cooperative arrangements with the Australian Pavilion or to sign up to AustCham Shanghai’s mailing list visit: www.austchamshanghai.com

ACBC PARTICIPATION AT SHANGHAI WORLD EXPO 2010

The Australia China Business Council is delighted to have recently signed a cooperative agreement with the Australian pavilion to participate in the business program at World Expo 2010. With involvement from an extensive range of companies and representation from key sectors, the business program is shaping up as a major opportunity to showcase the Australian economy to key stakeholders at this international event. The ACBC’s participation will be targeting Chinese companies and government agencies such as the State Council, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Commerce. The ACBC’s engagement will reflect key themes being explored at World Expo and address major trade and investment issues such as sustainability, renewable energy, urban development, trade liberalization, financial services and the resources sector.
The ACBC will be hosting two events at the Australian pavilion in July and will be producing a range of associated events and targeted seminars in China to coincide with the Expo momentum.
The ACBC will be leading a trade mission from among its core membership and will be engaging with key agencies to deliver exclusive business matching in major centres such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Suzhou and Wuxi.

For more information about the ACBC’s participation at Shanghai World Expo 2010, contact the National Secretariat on
T: 61 2 9252 4277 or E: expo2010@acbc.com.au

AUSTRALIAN PAVILION BUSINESS PROGRAMME

There are more than 200 events planned for the Australian Pavilion’s business programme, including high-level government visits, trade missions, investment promotions, launches and seminars. The program will cover a diverse range of industry sectors including Australia’s world class financial services; green building and renewable energy; resources; biotechnology, education; and information and communications technology.
For more detailed information about the Australian pavilion’s business program visit: www.australianpavilion.com

*The Shanghai World Expo Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has formed cooperative arrangements with AustCham Shanghai, the Australia China Business Council and the Australia China Council on Australia’s participation in the Shanghai World. ■