Feature
Issue No. 38 - December/January 07/08
North Asia exports on the boil
by Pamela Brombal
Austrade’s Regional Director for North East Asia, Laurie Smith, is visiting South Australia in the first week of December to meet leading industry groups and local and regional businesses to discuss SA’s exports to this key market.
“North East Asia is one of South Australia’s most important markets – about a quarter of all exports from the state go to this region, which includes Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China and the gateway market of Hong Kong,” Laurie says.
“In 2005-2006, SA had exports of more than $2 billion to North East Asia, with Japan and China among the state’s top five export destinations.”
Laurie says the great diversity of products and services being exported to North East Asia range from from seafood, wines and education to urban architects and punk rock bands.
“Education is very important in North East Asia, and SA is making a mark here,” he says.
“China, for example, has become a major market for SA universities, with many learning institutions both delivering courses in market and receiving foreign students who come here to study.
“SA also provides other types of specialised training. For example, the state has a centre of excellence in pilot training: Flight Training Adelaide currently has pilots from Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan undertaking courses.
As SA is the major export source for Australian wine, it’s important to follow up on growth in the North East Asia market.
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