Six Greek Australians are among the 600 delegates on the largest ever Victorian trade mission to China, from 17 to 21 September.
George Vassos, Cosmas Papatsaras, Maria Makris, George Pappas, Manny Anthoulas and Steve Haritos will take part, reflecting the culturally diverse business sector of Victoria that will be represented by over 400 businesses.
Greek Australians attending the trade mission will represent Victorian organisations in areas of Financial Services, Food and Beverage, ICT, Automotive, Life Sciences and Education.
Premier Ted Baillieu launched the Victoria-China Engagement Strategy on Wednesday, ahead of his super trade mission to China next week. More than 400 Victorian organisations will be represented by their delegates, spreading out across 13 Chinese cities in a week.
“Victoria’s relationship with China has never been more significant,” Mr Baillieu said this week, emphasising that the mission will develop a long-term partnership with China to grow trade, open new markets and attract investment.
Manny Anthoulas, National Manager for Vendor & Partner Alliances, who will represent the ICT sector on behalf of the major IT security firm Directory Concepts, said that participation in the Super Trade Mission to China will give the business an opportunity to network with both local and Chinese organisations, in order to get a better understanding of the dynamics of China’s enterprise ICT market.
“This will ensure the proper investment, marketing strategy and sales channel development is made,” he said to Neos Kosmos.
The Directory Concepts, an industry leader in the supply of Identity, Security and Access Management (ISAM) solutions, was chosen amongst 400 businesses to take part in Victoria-China Engagement Strategy, on the basis of being an ICT firm that has broad market appeal and a commendable installed base that includes the Victorian Government.
The Victorian trade mission to China is part of the Coalition Government’s $50 million commitment to helping Victorian businesses find new global markets for goods and services, attract international investment and generate new jobs. The engagement strategy outlines five key priority areas aimed at facilitating trade, attracting investment and supporting new research and development, as well as boosting Victoria’s Chinese language skills and developing deep and lasting relationships that position Victoria for the future.
“Victoria and China have a long history of collaboration and partnership. Now, more than ever, we must take the opportunities outlined in this strategy to deepen and broaden the important business, personal and cultural links between us,” Mr Baillieu said.
For George Pappas, Chancellor of Victoria University and chairman of the Committee for Melbourne, this trade mission will be an opportunity to visit Victoria University’s partners in Henan and Chengdu, China.
“By coincidence Henan University is celebrating its hundredth anniversary on September 24 and 25, and I have been invited to join their celebrations. Two months ago, our Vice-Chancellor, Prof Peter Dawkins, was there celebrating the tenth anniversary of our partnership with Henan. We also have a partnership with Sichuan University based in Chengdu, so I will be visiting our partner at the same time as the Victorian trade mission is in Chengdu,” he told to Neos Kosmos.
George Pappas, who will be representing education sector in China, hopes to strengthen and expand the existing relationships with China, where Victoria University has over half a dozen partnerships, delivering its courses to over 5000 Chinese students.
“We have been told by the education liaison officer at the Australian Embassy in Beijing that Victoria University is one of the best placed Australian Universities in the Chinese market.”
This is Mr Pappas’ third trip to China on behalf of Victoria University, having presided at Graduation ceremonies in Beijing for around 500 of students on previous occasions. Mr Pappas will join the trade mission for a day in Chengdu, to offer his and Victoria University assistance, based on years of experience.
“As our state seeks to expand trade opportunities with China, we are happy to offer the benefit of our experience to those who may be new to China should they wish to seek it.
“The prospects of cooperation with China within the education sector are significant. The Victorian education sector can benefit by using the occasion to make Chinese educators aware of the high quality system we have here and the benefits they will reap from more exchanges of students and staff.” George Pappas said.
According to Manny Anthoulas of Directory Concept, the benefits of a trade mission to China, as Victoria’s largest trading partner, will depend on the industry sector and business focus.
“China is still very much in a growth phase, particularly in the ICT sector, where it has received significant investment and favourable economic development policies from Chinese government. China’s domestic ICT industry will be strong over the next five years as China continues to upgrade its telecom infrastructure in its drive toward global levels of productivity in its industrial output. Industry forecasts imply a high level of productivity from China’s ICT investments, particularly as they relate to overall GDP growth. We are optimistic about our prospects for new business opportunities in the region for our products and services,” Manny Anthoulas said.
China has been Victoria’s increasingly important source of investment, students, tourists, migrants and knowledge, with its middle class rapid growth, altering patterns of consumption and driving demand for quality goods and services.
“We expect to connect with organisations in China that have a need or particularly interest in our project experience and technology skills. We also hope to identify suitable business partnerships that would help us establish a local presence. We are well aware that it is important to emphasize local knowledge, as well as worldwide. It will be important to build local talent to deliver solutions that meet the specific needs and challenges of China,” Mr Anthoulas said.
This Victorian trade mission to China, the largest ever to leave Australian shores, will help Victorian businesses meet challenges of China, and at the same time, utilise extraordinary opportunities that exist there, attract new jobs and investment to Victoria, Premier Baillieu said.