Export
Issue No. 1 - July/August 2001
Export. SA's man in Europe
SA's man in Europe
Established in 1858 to represent the fledgling colony in the heart of the mother country's metropolis, the office of the Agent General for South Australia was responsible for pulling things together at the London end of the South Australian colonial effort.
Initially import rather than export orientated, the Agent General’s task has evolved as South Australia's economy has grown through grain races and the ‘Vineyard of Empire’ era leading up to the Second World War. Today, the Agent General’s mission is to promote SA as a destination for investment dollars, and to facilitate the efforts of South Australian firms looking to market their goods in the European Union.
The State Government’s standing orders to the Agent General are to:
- encourage European companies to invest in South Australia;
- seek opportunities and provide support for the export of South Australian products and services to Europe;
- assist South Australian businesses, industry associations and other agencies in establishing contacts in Europe to promote trade, financial and commercial activities of benefit to the State;
- encourage people to migrate to South Australia under the business migration scheme;
- liaise with the State’s Tourism Commission in attracting tourists to South Australia;
- raise the awareness in Europe of the State’s cultural and artistic activities.
The Agent General reports through the Department of Premier & Cabinet and both this Department and the Department of Industry and Trade liaise with the Agent General routinely.
Investment opportunities currently being promoted are in:
- food processing;
- wine processing and production equipment;
- defence;
- automotive;
- information technology.
The six people in the Agent General’s office cope with several thousand enquiries each year ranging from business queries to questions about renewal of drivers’ licences....
