Citrus Australia have been granted A$50,000 (US$45,700) in government funding for a programme that includes a high-level trade mission, educational workshops and the production of bilingual marketing material, according to a company press release.
The Australian government’s decision comes in context of their inaugural Asian Century Business Engagement plan, which emerged from the government’s White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century and aims to promote Australian enterprises in the region.
Citrus Australia chief executive officer Judith Damiano expressed delight at the news of the grant, which she asserted would bring substantial benefit to the citrus industry, who will match the government’s contribution.
“The future of our export growth is in the Asian region,” Damiano said in the media release. “Our program is completely focused on China and increasing our networks and access to trade in that country.
“Citrus Australia is already working towards improving market access to China and has assisted growers, packers and exporters achieve a record A$5.4m (US$4,936,140) worth of citrus trade to China last year.”
The programme’s high-level trade mission and industry training workshops will be facilitated by China expert and chief executive officer of Think Global Consulting, David Thomas.
“The workshops are for people who are going to be doing business in China. Participants will look at how they can engage better and how to build relationships for the long term,” says Judith. “It’s really important we get this right.”
