8 August 2008
Speech at the BCA Beijing 2008 VIP Opening Ceremony Function
SALUTATION
Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd
Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis,
John Coates, President of the Australian Olympic Committee,
Dr Geoff Raby, Australian Ambassador to China
Mr Peter O'Byrne, Chief Executive Officer of Austrade
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen
INTRODUCTION
Like you, I am here for the sports and also for the exports.
So it is a pleasure to jointly open Austrade's Business Club Australia Beijing Olympics program with the Prime Minister.
The next two weeks is an exciting time to be here in Beijing to watch the world's best athletes compete at the highest level possible – in the Olympic Games.
OLYMPIC SUCCESS
Australia's sporting prowess is well known around the world.
What is less well known is Australia's prowess in the business and export of sport.
That is, the provision of the hardware supporting all of those doing battle on the field.
Australians love their sport and they also demand first class facilities to watch their sport.
It is the combination of these two factors that has spawned the sports industry we have today.
The Sydney Olympics provided us with the opportunity to showcase our sports industry to the rest of the world.
That is, the design, construction and management of stadiums and other sporting arenas.
Along with all of the supporting services and industries that flow from this – food and beverage, IT, security, media, transport logistics and the staging and management of sporting events.
These are the industries that will be so essential to making the Beijing games a success.
And I am delighted that forty Australian companies have won Olympics-related business projects ensuring that the Beijing Games have a strong Australian business presence.
This is the export of Australia's sport industry to the rest of the world.
Australian firms have provided design and architectural services for many of the Olympic venues, including the stunning Water Cube, the Olympic Village and the tennis centre.
Along with engineering services, training services, transport and telecommunications services.
The objective of this Business Club Australia event is to help Australian business use the platform of sport provided by the Olympics to establish contacts and build deeper links into the Chinese business community in the pursuit of new opportunities in China – the fastest growing market in the world – and what is now Australia's largest trading partner.
TRADE POLICY
The Australian Government will be supporting you every step of the way.
Our diplomatic network in China, led by Ambassador Raby and Austrade's 15 offices across China stand ready to provide you with all of the support that you need.
To reduce obstacles to trade and investment in this market, we are pursuing a free trade agreement with China - the Prime Minister and I will use this visit to make further progress on this front.
At the recent World Trade Organisation meeting in Geneva, China's Commerce Minister Chen Deming, and I worked extremely closely together in trying to negotiate an outcome to the Doha Round of trade talks to reduce global trade and investment barriers.
Unfortunately, we weren't successful on that occasion – but we haven't given up.
And, most importantly, the opportunity to work together so closely in Geneva has greatly strengthened the bilateral relationship and will help in driving our FTA negotiations forward.
CONCLUSION
This is the first time that Austrade has conducted such a large BCA program offshore.
I wish Austrade every success for this event and I encourage you to make the most of the opportunity that they have provide to make so many contacts in such a short period of time.
In wishing the Australian team, and indeed all of the athletes competing here from all nations around the world, the very best of luck let me conclude by wishing you – Australian and Chinese business men and women - the best of luck over the next fortnight and for your future business endeavours.
And I jointly declare with the Prime Minister that the Business Club Australia Beijing Olympics program is open for business.
Thank you
Media contact: Mr Crean's Office (02) 6277 7420 - Departmental (02) 6261 1555