Austrade media release 11 February 2010 The Opening Ceremony for the XXI Winter Olympics, choreographed by Australia’s David Atkins, is just one of several ways Australians will showcase their expertise to Canadians throughout the Games. Building on the success of Austrade’s Business Club Australia (BCA) initiative at the Beijing Olympics and other major sporting events, BCA Vancouver, will foster trade and investment opportunities for Australian businesses. Stefan Trofimovs, Austrade’s Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner for Canada, said BCA Vancouver will be backed up with a range of Austrade initiatives throughout 2010. “These will showcase Australia as a strong, stable and sophisticated economy, offering leading edge research and technology in goods and services and an attractive place to invest,” said Mr Trofimovs. “The BCA Vancouver 2010 program will utilise the excitement of the Games to create business matching opportunities for Australian companies seeking to expand in Canada. “Supported by key Australian corporates in Canada, Macquarie Capital, RitoTintoAlcan and Worley Parsons, the Business Club will present an Australia business networking evening at the Games hosted by the Australian High Commissioner to Canada, Justin Brown and the British Columbia’s Minister for the Games, the Honourable Mary McNeil.” Mr Trofimovs said the series of business events over the next six months will focus on promoting Australian expertise in education services, clean and renewable energy, water management, oil & gas and mining technology and services; as well as demonstrating why Australia is a desirable place for investment. To focus on these opportunities in Canada, Austrade will promote Australian capabilities at leading trade shows which include: - Prospectors and Developers Association (mining) in March
- Globe 2010 – the top business of the environment trade show in March
- An education road show, bringing university research teams together in April
- Canadian Institute of Mines trade show in May
- Global Petroleum Show (oil and gas) in June
The world's focus on Canada will continue long after the Vancouver Winter Games, as Canada will also host the G8 and G20 Summits in June. Mr Trofimovs said, like Australia, Canada’s banking sector has proved resilient and remains well capitalised following the global financial crisis, because of its prudent regulatory environment. The Canadian Government and central bank forecasts also suggest a rapid return to growth this year, because its underlying fundamentals remain strong after years of growth, low inflation and budgetary discipline. “Canada is a natural market for Australian companies as both countries share similarities in culture, business, and government structures,” Mr Trofimovs said. “A member of the G8, Canada is a sophisticated, mature and highly competitive market and Australia’s 22nd largest trading partner. Currently there are more than 2300 Australian business exporters cutting across all industry sectors,” he said. Austrade’s Post Manager in Vancouver, Kevin Lamb said, “over the past few years we have seen an increase in Australian companies establishing offices in Vancouver and there are now over 30 companies. Similar increases have also been experienced in Calgary and Toronto.” “Australian companies in Canada are also increasingly targeting the oil and gas sectors. Their activities cover engineering design, engineering procurement and construction (EPC), equipment, software, training and other technology services,” Mr Lamb said. For the 2009 financial year, Australian merchandise exports totalled more than $1.5 billion and service exports of services were valued at $815 million. Austrade has a network devoted to the Canadian market, providing extensive support for Australian exporters with specialist industry teams located in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. ENDS Media contact Sarkis Khoury, Senior Media Adviser, Ph: 02-9390-2118, M: 0414 401 072 |