9 August 2008, Hilton Hotel, Beijing
Speech at the BCA Australian Sports and Events Industry Dinner
SALUTATION
Minister Kate Ellis
Sandy Hollway and David Churches of AISES
David Clarke, Chairman, Macquarie Bank and Chairman of the BCA Roundtable
Distinguished representatives of Chinese and international games organising committees
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen
Introduction
Like you, I am here for the sports and also for the exports – the trade and business opportunities that events such as an Olympic Games present.
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.
And it is also an exciting time to pursue new business opportunities – both here in China – Australia’s largest trading partner and one of the world’s fastest growing markets – and at future international sports events.
Olympic and business 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 – such as the design, construction and management of stadiums and other sporting arenas.
And the software - in terms of all of the associated supporting services and industries that flow from this – food and beverage, IT, security, media, transport logistics and the staging and management of sporting events.
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.
And it is the combination of the sport and business platforms that produce world class events such as the Beijing Olympic games.
Business and Government Partnership
The Australian Government places a high priority on promoting Australian exports and investment in the sports and events industry.
This Business Club Australia dinner which is jointly hosted by the Australian International Sporting Events Secretariat (AISES) is a manifestation of that.
Business Club Australia is Austrade’s premier sport and business networking and marketing platform.
Its genesis stems from the Sydney Olympics where Austrade took the opportunity provided by that great event to showcase Australian business and technology to the rest of the world.
This is now the first time Austrade has taken BCA on such a large scale offshore and the attendance here tonight suggests it will be a great success.
The business of sport is based on three key partnerships:
- Government to Government;
- Business to Business; and
- Business to Government.
Government to Government is important because the scale of the sporting events we are targeting are so large that host country Governments play a key role in their planning and staging.
Business to Business is essential to drive the commercial relationships.
The business environment in China requires strong relationships between Australian companies and Chinese counterparts.
This reflects the regulatory environment where Chinese law often requires foreign entry via joint ventures with Chinese companies.
Alternatively, it can be in the best interests of foreign investors to enter into partnerships with Chinese companies to help navigate the business terrain and develop the synergies integral to success.
Business Club Australia can greatly facilitate this process.
And what is also extremely important is the business to government link.
Because the Australian Government needs to hear from business people the issues and challenges you are confronting when pursuing opportunities.
The Australian Government needs to be aware of any behind the border issues or problems that the Government can than seek to address with its counterpart to make the business environment easier for you.
The Australian Government, via Austrade, is also well placed to assist you through what can often be challenging procurement processes.
It goes without saying that successfully navigating such processes is key to winning contracts.
The Australian government stands ready to assist you through networking events such as this, through the support of the Australian Embassy here in Beijing and Consuls throughout China, and through Austrade and its 15 offices across China.
To reduce obstacles to trade and investment in this market, we are also 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.
Australia’s 2008 Olympics
As a result of hard work and dedication, along with a strong track record of success, I am delighted that forty Australian companies have won Olympics-related business projects ensuring that the Beijing Games have a strong Australian business presence.
Australian firms have provided design and architectural services for many of the Olympic venues here in Beijing and other cities where events are taking place.
Along with engineering services, training services, transport and telecommunications services.
Let me mention just a few of the facilities in which Australian business has been involved:
- the stunning Water Cube
- the Olympic Village
- the main stadium – including the seating, hockey, tennis, archery, and rowing facilities
- the equestrian facilities in Hong Kong
- the new football stadium in Tianjin
- the sailing base in Qingdao
- …. and many more
AISES network of companies
Australia’s contribution to these Olympic Games is also a reflection of the success of tonight’s joint sponsor the Australian International Sporting Events Secretariat (AISES).
AISES is an umbrella organisation created by two Australian states - Victoria and NSW.
Utilising the experiences gained from the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympics Games and the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006, AISES has built a network of companies to showcase Australian expertise to games organising committees around the world.
It is this critical mass - a network of expertise - that we believe stands Australia in such good stead to work with organising committees through all stages of sporting events.
And it through this network that we will be targeting future international events and their organising committees including:
- The Asian Games in Guanzhou in 2010 – and I am scheduled to meet with members of the Guanzhou organising committee when I visit there next week;
- The Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010;
- The London Olympics in 2012; and
- Other international sporting events including rugby and soccer world cups.
Conclusion
Australian business has proven its capacity and professionalism at past international sporting events including the Sydney and Athens Olympics – and will also prove to be major contributor to what I am sure will be a very successful Beijing Olympics.
As Australia’s Minister for Trade, I am proud of the level of Australian business involvement in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
And I am encouraged by the new platform the Beijing Games provides for Australian business to showcase its expertise to the world and the new business opportunities this will generate.
I wish all of you the very best of luck in both your business and sporting pursuits over the next two weeks of the Games.
Last night’s opening was a fantastic and spectacular event and just the beginning of what I am sure will be a very successful Beijing 2008 Olympics.
Thank you
Media contact: Mr Crean's Office (02) 6277 7420 - Departmental (02) 6261 1555