Transcript - E&OE
15 July 2009
Interview by Wuhan Television
Subjects: Australia-China economic cooperation.
MR CREAN: Both of us see the huge opportunity for further cooperation, economic development between Australia and Hubei Province, and we will proceed to develop a framework agreement that gives effect to that.
But, within the auto sector, I was struck on my last visit at not only the rapid expansion of Dongfeng Motor Company but its desire to produce its own brand of vehicles. And that they were looking for cooperation, joint ventures, supply potential from Australian auto industry. They understood the strength of the Australian auto industry, and wanted to develop synergies with it. That's why I've come back on this visit with Senator Carr, who's the Minister for Innovation, Industry and Research, to work further on that agenda. And we've agreed today to develop a working group to identify the opportunities and to work to realise those opportunities being put into effect.
JOURNALIST: Apart from the auto industry, do you think that the two sides - Australia and Hubei Province - have other positive factors they can move forward on to strengthen the cooperation?
MR CREAN: I do, and we'll be signing an agreement later today with the municipality of Wuhan on one of those other areas of cooperation - and that's urban design development, housing construction, smart buildings, energy efficient buildings.
We also see opportunities in the broader research area. Clearly, there are also big opportunities going forward in the iron and steel industry, and Australia as a significant resource supplier. But the whole purpose of taking the framework agreement forward is to identify further opportunities for cooperation. It just so happens that the automotive one is the first one out of the blocks. That's good, and it is a very significant follow up to a visit made just a couple of months ago.
[ENDS]
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