Austrade media release

Wednesday, 11 Jube 2008

A bee keeper from rural NSW and a Brisbane pilot trainer are among 12 small business owners from around Australia participating in a special export mission to China during the Olympic Games.

They are all winners of the Win Business Gold in China competition launched by Telstra and Austrade to help Australian small businesses build export contacts during the Beijing Games.

Telstra is paying for the trade trip and Austrade’s Business Club Australia will host networking and educational forums prior to and during the trip to allow the winners to make greater inroads into China’s booming economy. 

Telstra Business Group Managing Director, Deena Shiff, said the 12 businesses were selected by judges based on their long term strategic planning abilities and their innovative and entrepreneurial spirit.
 
“The diverse range of businesses who submitted their qualifications to join the trip shows just how many of Australia’s small and medium businesses are focussed on exporting, particularly to China,” Ms Shiff said.

“Businesses ranging from wineries in South Australia, to a manufacturer of health treatment equipment in Victoria were just some of the companies who are already exporting and the judges thought could make their mark in China by taking advantage of this trade initiative.

“It was extremely pleasing to see the broad range of businesses represented in rural and regional Australia with more than half the winners operating outside the major cities.”

Austrade Chief Executive Officer, Peter O’Byrne, said the Win Business Gold in China program would assist emerging exporters to showcase their business during the world’s biggest sporting occasion.

“As a result of this partnership between Austrade and Telstra Business we are able to give smaller Australian companies the chance to tread the same path as our biggest corporations and seek out opportunities in China, our largest two way trading partner,” said Mr O’Byrne.

“Austrade’s Business Club Australia is the official international business program for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

“At a time when people have gathered to share the excitement generated by the Olympics, Business Club Australia will be the platform for companies to create and strengthen business contacts with Chinese customers.”

ENDS

Media contacts

Telstra:
Martin Barr on 0418 101 127

Austrade:
Caroline Bergman on 0414 072 566 or caroline.bergman@austrade.gov.au

The winning small and medium businesses for the Win Business Gold in China competition are:

Arts Asia Pacific Pty Ltd	Parkside, South Australia	A producer, executive producer, general manager, and tour manager for productions, specialising in the Asia Pacific.
Athlegen Consolidated Enterprises Pty Ltd	Wendouree, Victoria	Manufactures and markets a wide range of health treatment equipment.
Flight Training Australia	Archerfield, Queensland	A recognised and government accredited flight training provider, catering for both domestic and international students.
DMA Group Architects	Brisbane, Queensland	Architectural design firm with an international focus on architectural and urban design services, particularly in tourism industry.
H.Y.F.N. (Australia) Pty Ltd	Norwood, South Australia	Sources Australian wines, including its own brand, and exports them to China.
Intellection Pty Ltd	Milton, Queensland	Develops and provides integrated solutions for the automated, quantitative evaluation of minerals, rocks and man-made materials.
Ludowici Australia Pty Ltd	Banyo, Queensland	Principal activities involve the design, manufacture and marketing of mineral processing equipment.
Old Penola Pastoral Co. (T/A Rymill Coonawarra)	Coonawarra, South Australia	An established winery and wine brand which is exported world wide, selling under the Rymill Connawarra brand.
Six Degrees Creative	Sippy Downs, Queensland	Provides advertising, brand and design services across a full range of media and is supported by a nationwide network of specialist companies.
Stone Initiatives & Material Testing Group Pty Ltd	Littlehampton, South Australia	A stone testing company focussing on major construction and infrastructure projects in Australia and overseas.
Superbee Honey Factory	Forbes, New South Wales	A working honey factory which exports to over 25 different countries all over the world. The business includes a production facility in Forbes, a Gold Coast tourist attraction and a branded concept store in Sydney.
Tarac Technologies	Nuriootpa, South Australia	Treats winery waste and transforms it into new wine, alternative fuel, fertilizer and stock feed.

For further news and information from the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) visit www.austrade.gov.au/mediacentre.