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MEDIA RELEASE ACTING PRIME MINISTER AND TIM FISCHER |
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16 July 1999 |
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Australia-China Trade And Investment Summit Australia and China are set to boost trade and investment links with a major business summit planned for later this year, according to Acting Prime Minister Tim Fischer. Speaking at an Australia-China Business Council breakfast in Sydney, he announced today that the Australia-China Trade and Investment Summit will be held in Melbourne on Tuesday 7 September 1999 to coincide with the proposed visit by Chinese President Jiang Zemin. "This event will be the trade and investment centre-piece of President Jiang's visit, the first by a Chinese Head of State to Australia. It will provide a unique opportunity for key business leaders to discuss trade and investment contracts and to further existing business negotiations". Mr Fischer said. Up to 200 leading Australian business people and 150 Chinese business and government representatives will take part in the event. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in partnership with the Victorian Government, is working closely with the Australia-China Business Council in organising this high-profile event. "Building a strong and prosperous Australia-China relationship has been a special focus of my time as Trade Minister and this summit will further secure our dynamic economic relationship". Mr Fischer said. China is now our 5th largest trading partner, accounting for more than 5 per cent of our total trade. Bilateral trade with China grew by more than 10 per cent in 1998 (from A$8.7 billion in 1997 to A$9.6 billion in 1998). The program for the summit will cover all aspects of the bilateral economic relationship but will focus in particular on five key sectors: financial and legal services; agri-business; infrastructure (transport and distribution); information technology and telecommunications; and energy and resources. A Plenary Session with addresses by leading Australian and Chinese speakers will be followed by separate Executive Sessions on each of the five key sectors, President Jiang is expected to give the keynote address. In addition to the formal Summit program, promotional events will be arranged for the visiting Chinese business delegation. |
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| For further information contact: |
Minister - James Baker / Brendan Egan (02) 6277 7420 Summit information: Barbara Whiteman (DFAT International Media Centre, Sydney) (02) 9242 4502 |