Australia brought more than 250 companies to the world’s largest trade expo this year in China, its largest delegation ever, as relations between the two countries improve thanks in part to visa-free travel.
The China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai kicked off on Tuesday. The six-day event is intended to highlight the strength of China’s ties with its trading partners.
Almost 70 per cent of the businesses in Australia’s contingent are food and beverage companies, including providers of milk, Wagyu beef and wine. The Team Australia Pavilion is a collaboration between government and the private sector.
“Australia has a strong presence at this year’s CIIE across wine and beverages, beef and lamb, seafood, packaged foods, health and consumer products,” said John Madew, the country’s Shanghai-based senior trade and investment commissioner. “These premium products are highly regarded by Chinese consumers.”
Australian delegates expect to sign a number of agreements this week with a total value of A$300 million (US$198 million), according to a news release from the Australian government, and the financial bounty is likely to grow as the expo progresses.
Last year, Chinese companies signed deals worth US$78.4 billion with international exhibitors at CIIE, up 6.7 per cent from a year earlier, according to the organiser. This year’s expo has drawn 3,500 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions, including major global firms like Volkswagen and cosmetics company L’Oreal.
