Opportunities in business and education will be a focus of a South Australian delegation leaving today for the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam.
The delegation of more than 60 business, education, cultural and government leaders, will work to advance relationships, increase engagement with South East Asia and raise South Australia’s profile in the region’s markets.
Led by Trade and Investment Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith, this South East Asia delegation follows our first multi-country mission in August 2015 to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.
Minister Hamilton-Smith will be joined in Vietnam by Premier Jay Weatherill.
The business program includes site visits, plenary sessions, networking events, business stream-specific programs and high-level political and business meetings led by the Premier and the Minister.
The visit will promote business opportunities across several key economic areas including food and wine; agriculture, education; research; liveable cities; health; fashion; advanced manufacturing, including defence; mining; mining services and emerging exporters.
Background
Recognising the significant levels of growth in the region, the South Australia-South East Asia Engagement Strategy was released in March 2015. It aims to build on existing connections to develop a comprehensive approach to the region, to develop a deep and enduring, mutually beneficial engagement which goes beyond politics, economics and culture.
Regular missions to the region will raise our profile, help businesses gain new markets, strengthen our knowledge base and generate new jobs.
Quotes attributable to Investment and Trade Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith
The South East Asian region is of great importance to South Australia. The Philippines and Vietnam represent two of the fastest growing economies in that area, with combined populations of around 100 million, while Indonesia is the region’s largest economy. It is also the only member of the G20. In fact, it is also emerging as a regional and global economic powerhouse and a key strategic diplomatic partner.
When it comes to commodities and services, South Australia has what South East Asian markets want and on that basis, this is the first of regular annual missions to the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Business missions play an important role in deepening our understanding of what opportunities exist for South Australian organisations and how we can best pursue them.
This delegation will leverage the momentum and goodwill created by the release of the South Australia South East Asia Engagement Strategy and the initiatives that have progressed since then, such as a Sister State Cooperative Agreement between South Australia and Indonesia’s West Java Province.