More than 30 South Australian food, wine and tourism businesses are showcasing some of the state’s finest produce and professional services at China’s largest international trade event this week at the China International Import Expo (CIIE).
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment David Ridgway said this is the second year this Expo has been running at the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Exhibition Centre in Shanghai and last year it attracted a record 197,000 visitors on one single day.
“There are huge opportunities here for our local exporters, with more than 2,800 exhibitors and some 150,000 buyers, from more than 130 countries.
“Last year more than 20 South Australian businesses participated at the CIIE and generated an estimated $20 million worth of export deals and an additional $10 million worth of export leads,” he said.
“This type of exposure to the global market place is invaluable, trade shows of this size and scale in China are about building relationships and learning about new markets and opportunities.
“CIIE is a place where deals can be done, and this week I am pleased to have been part of an MoU signing between Shanghai Electric and Consolidated Power Projects Australia Pty Ltd (CPP).
“Shanghai Electric is building a high voltage sub-station project in South Australia and this MoU will enable CPP to provide the electrical design and construct services to facilitate this project to completion.
The high voltage electrical engineering service provider has its head office in Adelaide and since its establishment in 1996, CPP has delivered over 125 projects throughout Australia. Clients include ElectraNet, TransGrid, Powerlink, Ausgrid, Siemens and many more.
Recent projects also include Mt Lock north of Jamestown for ElectraNet, the ESCRI battery on Yorke Peninsula, the Hornsdale 100MW Power Reserve for Tesla and the Blyth West substation.
The company has worked on many renewable energy projects, including Hornsdale and Waterloo Wind Farms in South Australia and Broken Hill Solar Farm and Nyngan Solar Power Station, both in New South Wales
“With direct flights now operating regularly between Adelaide and Guangzhou, the idea of doing business in China’s lucrative market is more accessible to South Australian businesses,” Minister Ridgway said.
China is South Australia’s largest two-way trade partner, with major exports to China valued at $2.8 billion, up 9.7 per cent in the 12 months to September 2019.
The CIIE is co-hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government.
Celebrating its first year of operation this week, the South Australian Trade and Investment office in Shanghai has played a vital role in supporting local companies exhibiting at CIIE including the promotion of South Australian exporters to around 60,000 WeChat subscribers.
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