TSBE preparing history making business delegation to Shanghai

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) is preparing to host Australian business representatives on a ground-breaking mission to Shanghai.

TSBE is working with Qantas in the preparations, with delegates to be the first international passengers to depart from Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport later this year.

TSBE’s Access China’16 delegation plans to take over 200 businesses flying Qantas to China, for a five-day program aimed at activating opportunities in agriculture, eCommerce, education and training, logistics, financial services, sustainable design, manufacturing, resources, tourism and health sectors.

TSBE chief executive officer Dr Ben Lyons said the delegation would represent a major milestone for the business community looking to engage with China and would open up significant opportunities for the Toowoomba region to share its story.

“The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement provides Australian businesses with many opportunities.

“We have put together a program utilising our extensive on-the-ground networks in Shanghai and China more broadly, with meetings and site visits to give businesses an in-depth view and understanding of opportunities.”

“We are in the heart of one of the world’s best food producing and value-adding regions and businesses and investors in China want to meet us.

“It’s not just about beef or infant formula, whilst China consumes across all commodity groups I would encourage people in the services sector be it health, education, construction, tourism, finance and investment to carefully look at this flight as an opportunity to investigate what those opportunities are.”

The delegation will provide access to some of China’s most renowned companies and will facilitate tailored business matching opportunities between Australian and Chinese companies.

Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Cr Paul Antonio said the project represented a fantastic opportunity for the region to further build its bilateral relationship with China.

“We are seeing economic possibilities open up for our region that we would never have dreamt of 20 years ago,” Mayor Antonio said.

“Our region is located just 12 hours from half the world’s population.

“The people of Asia, and China in particular, are hungry for what Australia can offer across a range of industries, and this exciting venture is about linking our local business community with that remarkable opportunity.

“As one of Australia’s most productive Agricultural regions we know there is remarkable opportunity to revitalise and grow this industry as well as look at how we value-add our products for the Asian market.”

Wagner’s Global chairman John Wagner said any company considering doing business with China should be part of the delegation.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to network with likeminded people who deal regularly with China.

“TSBE has strong business connections in Shanghai and Beijing and I think this is a fantastic opportunity to access key players in the world’s biggest economic powerhouse,” said Mr Wagner.

“We can sit back here and wait for the Chinese opportunities to come, but I think there is much more to be said about being proactive about the China opportunity, and the Access China delegation is a big part of this,” Dr Ben Lyons.

“We can sit back here and wait for the Chinese opportunities to come, but I think there is much more to be said about being proactive about the China opportunity, and the Access China delegation is a big part of this,” Dr Ben Lyons.

Regulatory approval will be sought from both the Chinese and Australian governments to allow the AccessChina’16 Business Delegation to leave Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport bound for Shanghai on Sunday, 23 October.

Expressions of interest can be lodged until 30 June to register first for an early bird offer, visit www.accesschina16.com.au for more info.