6 February 2009
Socceroos to score trade goals in Japan
As the Socceroos prepare to take on Japan in a crucial World Cup qualifier, the Australian Government will kick off a series of business networking events aimed at helping Australian companies break into the lucrative Japanese market.
The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) and Football Federation Australia (FFA) will link Australian companies to business opportunities in Japan, through business meetings as part of the Qantas Socceroos world cup qualifying match in Yokohama on February 11.
Around 220 Australian and Japanese business people and football officials will attend a series of networking events including a dinner hosted at Australian celebrity restaurateur Luke Mangan’s Tokyo restaurant 'Salt' (February 10), and a Business Club Australia business reception in Yokohama (February 11), followed by business networking during the match.
Australia’s Trade Minister Simon
Crean said the first formal international Business Club Australia program
since the highly successful Beijing Olympics initiative represented
a new strategic effort to maximise the business potential of the round-ball
game.
"Football is one of the world’s truly global sports and Business
Club Australia is a proven model for success, making the collaboration
between the FFA and Austrade’s Business Club Australia the ideal platform
to grow business opportunities in Asia.
"Prior to the Beijing 2008 Olympics, Business Club Australia had delivered A$1.7 billion in trade and investment outcomes for Australia. As a result of the Beijing Olympics Business Club Australia program, Australian companies have concluded significant business deals in a wide range of sectors ranging from mining investment and architectural services, to food and beverage and security solutions.
"Staging a Business Club Australia program to build trade connections through football in Japan is a natural next step in the program. Japan is Australia’s largest export market, receiving almost $37.5 billion worth of Australian goods and services in 2007-08.
"Despite difficulties stemming from the global downturn, Japan remains a wealthy society and an important source of investment and innovation driving intra-Asian trade. Japan is also a nation obsessed with football and a prominent member country of the Asian Football Confederation.
"Australian financial services
into the Japanese market will be highlighted as part of this event,
with a number of Australian investment and retail banks using this prestigious
networking opportunity to reinforce the importance of a strong relationship
with Australia to their clients.
"Building links with the international business community through
football and enhancing the corporate reach of the game also supports
the FFA and Australia’s goal to host the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup.
"Future trade promotion events built around the Qantas Socceroos will also be held in other nations across Asia.
"Should Australia qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Business Club Australia will expand the program to also enhance trade links with finalist nations from around the world,” Mr Crean said.
Media Inquiries: Mr Crean's office 02 6277 7420 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555