Opportunities by the thousand at China SME Fair

22 Oct 2010

Over 1450 meetings between Australian and Chinese businesses were conducted at the recent China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair (CISMEF).

 
Australia co-hosted this year’s CISMEF, held in Guangzhou, South China from 15-18 September. This year’s event saw the largest-ever Australian trade presence offshore, with Austrade delivering a program for 251 Australian companies. CISMEF is now in its seventh year and is the largest event of its kind in China.

Close to 1000 Chinese businesses attended 16 industry-focused Austrade seminars and functions at CISMEF, and a further 1000 Australian and Chinese businesses attended a ‘Night of Australia’ networking dinner.

Austrade also coordinated the 10,000 square metre Australia Pavilion displayed under the new national brand - Australia Unlimited. The Australia Pavilion housed 222 booths representing five industry sectors including green building and clean technology, professional services and education, consumer products, food and beverage, and wine.

Australian wines had a substantial showing at CISMEF with more than 60 wine companies in attendance.

South Australian wine maker, Peter Rumball of Rumball Sparkling Wines summed up his CISMEF experience by saying: “CISMEF gave me the opportunity to present my wines to an audience that was specifically Australian focused."

He added: “Thanks to the fantastic new Australia Unlimited Brand, Austrade Guangzhou Wine Team, and backup from the South Australian Government, I felt that my investment in this event was well rewarded.”

All state and territory governments participated along with a number of industry associations including Tourism Australia, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, the Green Building Council of Australia, Australian Made Australian Grown, Meat and Livestock Australia and the Australian Abalone Council.