Australia is selective about the world expos it is involved in and has participated in only 6 in the last 20 years. The 2010 Expo in Shanghai is considered to be of vital importance to Australia’s economic health, and when the background of trade between Australia and China is considered, it is not difficult to understand why.

Anthony Byrne, Parliamentary Secretary for Trade reported that “over the last 12 months, as global export volumes dropped by some 20 per cent, Australia’s exports to China increased by 30 per cent.” This is due in part to the 8% growth in the Chinese economy in 2009, but also to its shifting social changes in lifestyle and expenditure. 70% of China’s population is predicted to be middle class by 2020, according to a Goldman Sachs report.

China has been Australia’s anchor in the global financial storm, and prospects continue to look rosy for the trade situation between the two nations. This is an essential time for Australian firms to begin or increase their exports and secure a market share in China and other Asian nations.

In light of this, the $83 million spent on Australia’s pavilion at the 2010 World Expo is easily put into perspective as a good investment. The pavilion will feature business and cultural events to educate visitors about Australia and arouse the interest of the expected 7 million visitors who will attend over the Expo’s timespan. Austrade reports the 200 business events to be held will include “seminars, high-level official visits, business networking events and trade and investment promotion activities”.

Organisations and businesses interested in playing a role in the exhibitions are invited to contact Austrade or visit Australia’s official Shanghai World Expo 2010 Pavilion website.

• 7 million visitors to Australian pavilion expected / 38,000 per day
• Largest ever World Expo
• 8% growth in Chinese economy in 2009
• Australia’s pavilion to include 200+ events, performances & concerts
• $83 million being spent on Australia’s World Expo involvement

• Trade Minister’s Press Release on China - Australia Trade
• Austrade Media Release on importance of trade with China
• Austrade article on Shanghai World Expo 2010
• Shanghai World Expo 2010 Australian Pavilion

(Source: Marine Action Agenda, DITR)

The Australian marine industry covers many aspects and includes:

• Boatbuilding and repairing
• Marina operations
• Marine equipment and components manufacturing
• Marine equipment retailing and repairing
• Marine services
• Shipbuilding and repairing
• Super yacht building, refit and services

The diverse products and services of the marine industry are used for recreational, commercial and defence activities. Within the recreational industry products range from aluminium ‘tinnies’ to 70-metre luxury motor yachts (super yachts). The Australian marine industry is recognised around the world and Australian-made marine products are noted for their innovation, design and workmanship.

For further information, please visit the Austrade Marine website.

Austrade’s marine industry team contacts
Tel: +61 3 9648 3170 (ask for the Marine Industry Network Coordinator)
Email: marine@austrade.gov.au
Website: www.austrademarine.gov.au

Government contacts

Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
Export Finance and Insurance Corporation
Government of Victoria
Queensland Government
Western Australia Government

General industry contacts

Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX)
The Australian Marine Industries Federation (AMIF)
Australian Shipbuilders Association (ASA)
Marina Association of Australia (MAA)
Super Yacht Base Australia (SYBA)

For more information please see

http://www.austrade.gov.au/Marine-overview/default.aspx

Friday, 12 September 2008

Australian angling is a new attraction in the United States after four Australian fishing shows were recently picked up by adventure programmer MyOutdoorTV.com.

The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) has assisted in a deal which exposes the shows to the North American and worldwide audiences, showcasing Australia as a great destination for anglers.

Austrade’s District Manager for US Gulf Region, Bryan Wallace, said the sport was very popular in Australia as most of the population was based around the coastal fringe, providing easy access to good fishing areas.

“The presenters of these shows enthusiastically deliver something that is unique for the American market,” Mr Wallace said.

“Almost 200 programs focused on shooting sports, fishing, boating and conservation are featured on MyOutdoorTV.com. To have these shows in this space is a great advertisement for Australia from both environment and lifestyle perspectives.”

The four new shows are:

• 2 Dans Fishing, an adventure-driven show featuring best mates Dan Burgess and Dan Trotter;

• Australian Fishing Championships, showcasing tournament fishing for bream, bass and barramundi;

• Fishing Western Australia, a show which promotes fishing in the west;

• The Rex Hunt Show, hosted by former AFL legend and commentator, Rex Hunt.

One half of 2 Dans Fishing, Dan Trotter, said he was excited by the opportunity to have his show broadcast in the American Market.

“On the back of appearing on MyOutdoorTV.com, I am making plans to go to the US in October to see the different media outlets, magazines and retailers about expanding our brand,” Mr Trotter said.

“Our fishing show is unique as it is about having fun with your mates and that is what we are trying to capture.”

In addition to streaming show titles on shooting sports, fishing, boating, and conservation, MyOutdoorTV.com also hosts radio shows and outdoor videos

Austrade has a network devoted to providing extensive support for Australian exporters who are looking at entering or expanding their presence in the USA. It includes representation in 18 US cities with five specialist industry teams and one team dedicated to investment opportunities within Australia.

Reprinted by permission of
http://www.austrade.gov.au/Aussie-fishing-shows-hook-American-market/default.aspx

The Australian shipbuilding and repair sector is steadily expanding due to success in overseas markets. There are an increasing amount of international operators of large container ships, cruise liners and naval vessels coming to Australian ship repairers for repair and maintenance of their vessels.

Australia is recognised in international markets both as a destination for visiting and listing for refit and repair work for luxury vessels such as super yachts. Australia is fast becoming a well known provider of high quality repair and maintenance services as well as a niche supplier of vessels such as naval ships, light and fast passenger and car ferries, and large and upmarket luxury pleasure crafts. Major Australian exports opportunities include fast ferries, defence vessels, patrol boats and workboats.

Austrade has a specialised Marine Industry Network of over 50 people in more than 26 countries. This dedicated network is ready to support and assist you in the export of your range of vessels and crafts such as car/passenger and passenger ferries, work boats, parol vessels, luxury yachts, barges or service related offerings such as ship repair.

The specialised marine industry team have the capacity to provide dedicated and customised service to meet the needs of potential and existing exporters.

Austrade’s marine team contacts
Tel: +61 3 9648 3170 (ask for the Marine Industry Network Coordinator)
Email: marine@austrade.gov.au

Government contacts

Government of Victoria
Western Australia Government
Queensland State Development Department
Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
Export Finance and Insurance Corporation
Department of Defence

General industry contacts

The Australian Shipbuilders Association (ASA) and The Australian Ship Repairers Group (ASRG) are the two key national industry organisations representing the shipbuilding sector and assist the industry in promoting its export capabilities.

ASA
ASRG
The Western Australian Shipbuilders Association Inc

To read more on this subject or for further information please see http://www.austrade.gov.au/Freight-and-logistics/default.aspx

Monday, 19 May 2008

More than 30 international buyers will attend the 20th Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show on the Gold Coast (May 22-25), providing real export opportunities for 400-plus exhibitors, according to Austrade’s Marine Industry Network.

Austrade, the Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX), the Queensland Government and the Gold Coast City Council, will join forces to help deliver Australia’s world-class marine capability to buyers from around the world.

Austrade’s Marine Network Manager Leigh Wilmott said delegations from Malaysia, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand and China were among those keen to source Australia’s marine expertise.

“The Australian marine industry’s turnover is over $5.5 billion annually and the sector’s 2700 companies employ over 29,000 people. On the Gold Coast, the local industry is worth around $500 million and supports about 40 per cent of Queensland’s marine industry workforce,” Mr Wilmott said. “More importantly, the marine industry generates exports worth over $750 million each year – and much of this business is sourced at international boat shows such as Sanctuary Cove,” he said.

In 2007, Seawind Catamarans reaped the wind at Sanctuary Cove, selling 11 vessels totalling close to $5 million.

Seawind’s Marketing Manager Mr Brent Vaughan said Austrade’s suite of services proved an invaluable resource. “With Austrade’s support and through our involvement at Sanctuary Cove, we signed up a dealer in Phuket, Thailand, in a transaction worth around $500,000,” Mr Vaughan said.

Mr Wilmott said hosting international buyers was just a small component of services offered by Austrade and its allies to 500 marine exporters.

Austrade will also focus on delivering opportunities to the burgeoning new Marine market of Dubai, with Austrade’s Dubai-based Trade Commissioner James Wyndham attending the show to help connect Australian exporters to emerging opportunities in Gulf region in the Middle East.

With over fifty waterside developments and associated marina projects to be completed by 2012, and a sales potential of nearly 7,000 imported boats anticipated over the next five years, the Gulf region is a market Australian marine exporters can’t ignore,” Mr Wyndham said.

“In oil-rich Dubai alone, the emirate has quickly become one of the world’s top ten marine destinations, with more than 40,000 marine berths under construction,” he said.

Several Australian exporters attended the Dubai International Boat Show in March (11-15) and received a taste of the scale and dynamism of Dubai’s marine sector growth in the lead-up to Sanctuary Cove.

During that visit, Victoria’s Multipanel secured deal worth $250,000, with additional negotiations underway. Their lightweight panelling materials are used to craft interior furnishings and fixtures, and the company are keen to investigate further opportunities this week at Sanctuary Cove 2008.

“Austrade, the Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX), the Queensland Government and the Gold Coast City Council last year established an International Business Lounge and online business-matching website to coordinate meetings between overseas customers and Australian companies at the show,” Mr Wilmott said.

“In addition, Austrade’s Marine Industry Network has more than 50 experts in almost 30 countries ready to help Australian businesses export their marine product or service.

“They can source overseas leads then make them immediately available to suitable suppliers via Marine Industry Network representatives in all major Australian centres, turning leads into local export deals,” he said.

Note:

• Images: Print resolution images are available.
• Interviews: Leigh Wilmott and James Wyndham (Austrade), and spokespersons for Seawind Catamarans and Multipanel, are available for media interviews.
• Boat Show access: Working journalists, TV crews and online journalists reporting on the Show can receive media accreditation. Contact Kate Duryea kated@sanctuarycove.com for details.

Reprinted by permission of

http://www.austrade.gov.au/Full-speed-ahead-for-marine-exports-at-Sanctuary-Cove-International-Boat-Show

Marine products and services from Australia are particularly competitive compared to the USA and Europe. This is due to the depreciation of Thai and Australian currencies against the US dollar, proximity to the market and the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) that benefits in tariff reduction of most marine products. Australian marine design features are considered equal or superior to other imported products in Thailand.

Business opportunities for the Australian marine industry in Thailand are closely related to the tourism industry. The number of international tourist arrivals reached 14.46 million in 2007.

Thailand’s Harbour Department at the Ministry of Transport and Communications is currently responsible for granting a licence to own and operate various vessel types, but there is no agency governing the standards of the vessels used in the marine industry.

Depreciation of the Australian dollar and proximity to the market has provided a competitive edge against the USA and Europe for marine product suppliers. This has resulted in Australia being able to capture some new business, although in a shrinking market. The ability to gain market share and introduce Australian marine technology at a time of downturn will position them well for the future when economic growth resumes.

For more information please see

http://www.austrade.gov.au/Marine-to-Thailand/default.aspx

Depending on your product, it may be suited only for ocean shipping or for airfreight. It is necessary to understand the basic principles of both sea and air cargo as rates can vary when new capacity is offered on trade routes and when new markets are serviced, often with a range of intermodal services.

Sea and airfreight have a well-ordered series of conventions and these need careful study. A good starting point is to learn what are known as INCO terms (International Commercial Terms). Introduced in 1936 and modified since, INCO terms are critical for the consignment and payment of goods shipped internationally, and have precise definitions.

Export documents require careful preparation to avoid delays in customs clearance at their port of discharge and also to comply with documentary letters of credit that specify conditions such as precise product descriptions, packing lists and attestations including quarantine certificates and certificates of origin. Electronic documentation has made a complex process much easier, but mistakes can be costly. It is imperative to understand the export documentation process and to ensure that the preparation of documentation is carried out with meticulous accuracy.

See the websites below for listings of freight forwarding companies.
For more information email info@austrade.gov.au.

An Export Adviser can help you build and consolidate your export know-how.

The Australian Freight Councils Network
Provides references to state and territory-based freight organisations covering both air and sea cargo. Check the websites of members for information on services.

The Australian Trade and Shipping
Provides useful background information, as well as data on the company’s services.

The Logistics Association of Australia
Provides some useful background on logistics.

Australian Export Online
You will find an excellent explanation and a tutorial on Incoterms at this website.

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
Has a detailed review of Incoterms.

Cargo Log
Offers to send your enquiry to a group of selected freight forwarders for a quotation.

The Australian Institute of Export
AIEX provides hands-on training in export practice.

Australian Export Online
Has a listing of freight forwarders.

Sensis Australia
Sensis provides access to a range of databases, including the Yellow Pages, which lists about 1000 freight forwarding companies, many of them offering international services.

Tradegate
The site has details on a range of export transportation services.

For further information please go to

http://www.austrade.gov.au/Freight-and-logistics/default.aspx

It would seem that the global fashion community can’t get enough of the antipodean style, indeed Collette Dinnigan’s range has been on show to the fussy French fashion shows since 1995, with the Paris press praising her feminine designs. In fact her designs are currently stocked in over 100 boutiques around the world, including one in Chelsea green, an exclusive London suburb, which is her own store. Dinnigan’s current net worth, as estimated by BRW magazine is $20 million. I’m sure you’ll agree, not bad at all.

Another great example of a fashion explosion is hot jeans label Tsubi. 150 outlets stock the trendy trousers in Australia and the USA alone, including its New York City store. Tsubi’s three founders have an estimated net worth of over $19 million between them and contribute their phenomenal success to USA export.

In fact the USA has a huge demand for Australian fashion, which has led to the opening of specialist boutiques. From We of the Never Never and Sheila, Los Angeles based retailers, to Frock Star recently opened on LA’s Sunset Boulevard. The down under designers are set to rock the fashion world, with well received previews of their ranges from Dubai to LA and every fashion capital between.

Rebecca Davies of ‘Bare’ explains the growing appeal of Australian fashion as a matter of seeking that which is original and unique on an international level. “In the ’80’s and ’90’s it was all about the designer label, the big fashion houses,” Davies says. “Now customers are far more discerning and are looking for something unique, new and different. In a very short time the design entity in this country has pulled its socks up.”

There has been a massive attitude change in recent years, explains Lydia Pearson, one half of the luxe clothing brand Easton Pearson. When she and her business partner launched their business from their Brisbane homes, they feared rejection because they were from Queensland and as a result didn’t admit to it.

“The fashion buyers in Sydney thought we were from Melbourne and those in Melbourne thought we were from Sydney,” Pearson smiles. “We could never admit we were from Queensland or we’d never even get an appointment to see them.”

“Back then, if it didn’t come from Europe, it wasn’t worth having. Now people are keen for something individual and unusual. They don’t mind where it comes from, and it’s almost an exotic advantage to be from somewhere almost unheard of in the fashion sense,” she continues.

It has been suggested by some fashion writers that the Brisbane based brand may indeed be Australia’s first luxe fashion line, and with a staggering 65 percent of Easton Pearson’s product being exported, buyers around the world would seem to agree. The United States is their most important export market as far as $$ are concerned, closely followed by Japan, but also, very popular in boutique fashion outlets in Italy and the Middle East’s Dubai, Kuwait and Qatar.

Of course not only female clothing is globally successful, men’s swimwear and underwear designers, aussiBum are smiling all the way to the bank. The brands founder, Sean Ashby, was told that nobody would buy his Nylon swimwear by the major department stores. So in defiance, and to prove them wrong, he opened an internet presence and started selling online.

AussieBum now turns over more than $10 million each year and is expanding at the impressive rate of 20 percent each quarter. Surprisingly enough Australia’s sales make up only 10 percent of Sean’s sales with Europe accounting for 40 percent and the American’s taking a further 35 percent.

“It’s really a lot of bloody hard work, “Sean laughs. “I used to boast how I’d work in the morning then go to the beach in the afternoon. The only time I do that now is when I go to meet with one of the surf clubs we sponsor. I really have a great level of respect for Australian designers as I know how much crap and bullying they endure to do what they love.”

Sean’s creative use of technology and closeness to the market is a great tool to ensure the future and success of the Australian fashion industry, according to Ashley Van Krieken, executive director of the Council of Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA).

“There is not one set of magic items that will guarantee success,” he says. “But it’s important to develop a brand, a name that is recognised both domestically and potentially overseas. Another important area to concentrate on is quality and finish, “…”companies that maximise the use of the internet, for selling and for improving supply chain logistics, are also going to have a greater chance of success,” he says.

So what does this mean to fashion export spending? Here are some recent clothing figures;

As you can see, the potential is enormous but these figures are only based on Australian sales! This is a huge pie for designers to split between them, but thinking about the larger picture of the massive global market, these figures are relatively small, pale in comparison.

If you’re a designer thinking about going global then there is little time to waste, get your product out there and show the world your talents. The time is now.

Boots, part of the Wellbeing Group, is one of the largest UK high street retailers. Specialising in bath, body and hair care products they currently stock several major Australian beauty brands. Companies hot on the heels of the high street retailer are set to follow the trend such as Superdrug in the UK, not to mention many of the online shops.

Aussie Hair Care, a very well known hair care product brand known to the world has been going strong since 1979. The founder Tom Redmond was inspired to develop the Australian 3 Minute Miracle, an intensive conditioner that produced real results in only three minutes. 3 Minute Miracle is now a top selling conditioner with more than 45 million bottles sold. This is now followed by many other products in this range, all with excellent performance.

Based in the northern beaches of Sydney, a newer hair care product brand has found its place in hair salons as well as on the shelves. In 1991, the Sabre Group developed and launched Fudge ‘Shaper’, a sticky styling clay that was unique to the market in Australia. Sabre Group expanded operations into New Zealand, United Kingdom, Europe and more recently, North America and Asia. Currently the Sabre Group turns over AUD $60,000,000 annually around the globe. The Sabre owned ‘Fudge’ brand has been a key driver to the success of the organization.

As well as the overseas retailer, Beauty Clinics are making way for Australian beauty products in their treatments. Australian Bodycare, another Aussie brand, lends itself very well to this market. Renowned for their products based on the highest quality of natural active ingredients and specifically, Tea Tree Oil, used as an essential oil for over 1,000 years. Founded in 1990 in Odense, Denmark, with a subsidiary in Australia, Australian Bodycare, have forged a close relationship with the University of Western Australia, UWA -one of the driving forces in scientific interest in Tea Tree Oil. They have played an important role in their product development and scientific documentation. Today, the major part of product development is performed in Denmark, but the link with UWA remains important. Australian Bodycare products are sold in more than 20 countries.

Another success story is Urban Rituelle, which is an innovative brand of Australian made bath & body care products based in Sydney Australia. After initially meeting & exploring the fragrant filled bazaars of the East, Leanne Haining & Scott Kelly returned to Sydney in 1995 to produce & sell a unique range of vegetable soaps, candles & body care products. Their travelling experiences restored an appreciation of life’s simpler pleasures & this experience was translated into a desire to create a range of products that enhanced & celebrated everybody’s everyday rituals. Urban Rituelle has a catchphrase “For Everybody Everyday” which makes clear the belief that Urban Rituelle products are designed as a guilt free indulgence, a luxury that everyone can enjoy. Urban Rituelle now have international distributors in the middle-east, which are proving to be a major contender in retailing beauty products, two states in the USA and are currently looking for more representatives in other countries.

Many professional tanning salons are also now choosing Australian tanning solutions over the more common American ones. A very new company which has achieved a lot in such a small time is Tanning Solutions, one of Australia’s number one companies for natural based, high performance, professional tan care. Since the company’s beginning in 2002, their family based business has grown from strength to strength and have started exporting overseas already.

A huge pull towards the Australian beauty market is not only the laidback lifestyle and the fact that some of the world’s most beautiful men and women are born and bred there, Australia as a whole is becoming the word, not only in beauty products but in food, wine and fashion. Everyone wants a piece of it. There’s no better time for Australian exporters and worldwide retailers to get a slice of this pie. So don’t delay, do your research and seize the moment.

The infinite variety of foods in Australia reflects the diversity of its land and provides for a rich cuisine. Gone are the days when a lamb chop and three vegetables were standard fare in this community. Imaginative marketing presents the cook with many options such as marinated meats, fresh pasta and ready prepared fresh vegetables. There is certainly no excuse for boring or unattractive meals, with such a range of innovative recipes and fresh food products available in Australia today.

Quality and imagination in food design are also essential: “To survive, you’ve got to be quick and innovative. Food is now very much a fashion industry in which innovation sows the seeds of success”, says the new chief executive of Food Science Australia, Dr Michael Eyles.

“Today’s food marketplace is changing at a dramatic pace. Australia is superbly equipped both in raw materials, skills and know-how to be a leader”.

With all of this to hand, who wouldn’t want a cut of it? Australian food as a whole is becoming more popular overseas in restaurants, hotels, health bars and even in the home kitchen. The outside world’s image of Australian cooking is closely related to the lifestyle: laid back but healthy.

With the huge increase in interest of low-fat alternative meats, Australia can provide a whole host of different cuts; Kangaroo is a succulent, versatile, lean red meat. It is very well known throughout the world as a high quality game meat, this is a low fat but high in iron and is very good value. Crocodile is a white meat and its nutritional composition compares favourably with that of more traditional meats. Crocodile meat has a delicate flavour is low in fat and high in protein. In Oz there is little freshwater crustacean that lurks on the bottom of streams, lakes and in farm dams, they are called Yabbies, and have been enjoyed by indigenous Australians for centuries. An enterprising lady at Inman Valley, looking to diversify on a dairy farm during a downturn in the dairy industry, tried farming yabbies in her farm dams. She has established a successful and innovative business, buying and marketing yabbies. Now the rest of the world is waking up to their secret delights. Their delicate, sweet flavour and firm texture has won lavish praise from connoisseurs the world over.

“There has been a sea-change in the industry’s approach over recent years. We’ve switched from a domestic to an export focus, the industry has become more fashion-conscious and the level of innovation you can see on supermarket shelves these days is simply astonishing,” Comments Dr Michael Eyles.

In response to the increase of over seas interest and tourism, innovative chefs have worked very hard to produce a regional cuisine using the most wonderfully fresh home grown food which can be washed down with an amazing variety of world class locally produced wines such as d’Arenberg, McLaren Vale (South Australia, Australia) Riesling “The Dry Dam” 2004. The wine will most probably have been produced from the vineyards surrounding the town, the reds having mellowed in the autumn sun, and the whites exhibiting the crisp fruity style of the vale such. The popular South Australian winery, owned and operated by d’Arry Osborn and his son, Chester (who is also chief winemaker), produces more than two dozen wines selling to all over the world demanding an organized approach to grape growing. d’Arenberg farms approximately 345 acres of estate grapes in the hills north of the township of McLaren Vale and over half of what is produced is exported.

Another example of a very popular Australian food based company exporting with success is, Australian Homemade, a franchise formula for confectionary stores owned by Only Natural BV, which is run by Christoph Schmitz. The stores produce and sell premium ice cream and chocolate using all natural Australian ingredients. The product also incorporates indigenous Australian designs. There are currently over 60 stores found in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Spain, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, South Korea and the United States.

Beth Goslin, Austrade’s Business Development Manager in New York, commented that Australian businesses have a great opportunity to capitalise on America and the world’s growing interest in Australian gourmet food and beverages.

“Australia’s food and beverage businesses attending the event (the Summer Fancy Food Show being held in New York) will be promoting their high quality products to potential importing, distributing and retailing partners in the US market to create new business opportunities, which they will succeed doing”.

So this summer instead of buying the normal, traditional beef burgers try a little kangaroo or snap up some crocodile kebabs, gather some friends and family, serve them some of the best trendy food, with some exquisite wine and have fun.