Farewell Ceremony for staff of Australia's Pavilion at World Expo 2005 Aichi

Introduction

Ambassador Ueda, Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen.

It is a pleasure to be here to farewell this great group of Australians and Japanese who will be the public face of the Australian pavilion at Aichi. As Minister for Trade, I am very conscious of the importance of Japan to Australia as a trade and investment partner.

I'm also aware that a World Expo in our largest market for Australian goods offers tremendous opportunity to build further our extensive trade links and to showcase our newest technologies and innovations.

In 2003-04, Australia's total exports to Japan were valued at $23.1 billion and total imports from Japan were $18.1 billion - a total trade flow of over $41.2 billion. Clearly, Japan is one of our foremost trading partners. But there is more to our relationship than the success of the trade story of today.

World Expos are traditionally about the future. They provide directions about where countries are going, not where they have been. Therefore, while we continue to appreciate the traditional aspects of our trading relationship, we should use the business program at the Aichi Expo to promote new areas of trade between our two countries, and new products that will excite the Japanese business community and the consumer.

I warmly welcome the commitment of Toyota Australia and Qantas Airways, our two Australian pavilion corporate leadership partners. And Woodside Energy, Rio Tinto, Meat and Livestock Australia and Northwest Shelf ALNG, which have strong and important relationships with Japan.

I think the fact that our Commissioner-General to Expo Andrew Todd will drive an Australian-made Toyota Camry around Nagoya - the home of the Toyota Motor Corporation - is a great sign of the Australian car industry's export capacity! But I also particularly note and welcome some of Australia's newer exporters and smaller companies as sponsors.

It is great to see companies such as:

Servcorp, which now has 12 business centres around Japan supplying temporary, high-class office services - with the latest addition to that network in the centre of Nagoya itself;

Florigene Flowers - who are developing genetically modified blue carnations in partnership with the Suntory group;

And from the newest flower to the oldest tree in the world, Wollemi Pine, which is being propagated in Brisbane for domestic and export sales by Birkdale Nurseries;

Also, Bottles of Australia, based here in Canberra is expanding its exports;

Berri - now on shelves on supermarkets throughout Japan;

Snowy Mountains Beverages, a spring water supplier;

and Go-Shuu - the Australian manufacturer of Japanese sake!

These companies - and the other companies that will join the five Austrade business missions and the programs being developed for the business program by our state partners - represent new and important elements in the trade and investment relationship between our two countries.

I'm pleased to announce tonight that Austrade is offering a 50% discount on its standard charges to companies participating in any of the Expo business missions.

I am very pleased at the level of interest in the business program for Aichi - I understand that at least 140 companies have expressed an interest via the on-line business registration system. And just let me reinforce that point with one more example. Who would have thought even a short time ago that the Expo would be displaying a magnificent piece of Australian manufacturing craftsmanship such as this beautiful Huon Pine piano made by Stuart & Sons in Newcastle. I thank Wayne Stuart and Albert Music for their support.

There are many more features of the Australian pavilion that I could extol here this evening. This project is offering many Australian companies an opportunity to "test their wings" in a key foreign market. Hopefully, they will go on to develop their products and services in Japan.

Finally, the presence here today of so many representatives from Australia's States and Territories and corporate Australia testifies to the fact that the Australian pavilion at the 2005 World Expo Aichi is a collaborative effort.

Conclusion

I am sure that with the help of the young Australians and Japanese staff members we are farewelling this evening, Australia at Aichi will project a confident, strong and friendly image of our country to all visitors to the Expo.

It will emphasise that Australia values their friendship and partnership across every aspect of the relationship. I wish you every success, and I look forward to seeing you in Nagoya in just a few months time.

Thank you.