Report to Parliament Mission to the People’s Republic of ... › ... › 5515T457.pdf · market since 2012 and that Queensland exports of grain, beef, pork and fruits to China have

Report to Parliament Mission to the People’s Republic of China by the Honourable Bill Byrne MP, Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries and Minister for Sport and Racing 16 – 21 APRIL 2015

1

Contents

Official Party ......................................................................................................................... 3

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Representatives ..................................................... 3

Trade and Investment Queensland Representatives ............................................................. 3

North Queensland Delegation Members ............................................................................... 4

Official Party Program ........................................................................................................... 6

Mission Objectives ................................................................................................................ 9

China – Trade and Investment Queensland Briefing ........................................................... 10

Meeting with Department of Agriculture, Guangdong Provincial Government ..................... 11

Meeting with Mr Dominic Trindade, Consul-General, Guangzhou ....................................... 13

Queensland Government Agribusiness Investment Luncheon ............................................ 14

Site visits to agricultural enterprises along the Guangdong Province supply chain .............. 16

Meeting with Mr Mai Jiaomeng, Mayor of Huizhou, China ................................................... 17

Official Banquet Dinner - Huizhou ....................................................................................... 18

Meeting with China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) ................................ 20

Visit to Ole’ Supermarket TaiKoo Hui Store ......................................................................... 21

Hong Kong – Trade and Investment Queensland Briefing ................................................... 22

2

Official Party

The Honourable Bill Byrne MP Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries and Minister for Sport and Racing

Mr Elliott Stein Chief of Staff, Office of the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries and Minister for Sport and Racing

Dr Beth Woods Deputy Director General, Agriculture Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Representatives

Ms Alison Collier Agricultural Economist (North Region) Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Trade and Investment Queensland Representatives

Mr Zijian Zhang Trade and Investment Commissioner, China Trade and Investment Queensland

Mr Tony Wang Business Development Director

Trade and Investment Queensland Guangzhou Representative Office

Mr Roger Kaus

Principal Trade and Investment Officer Trade and Investment Queensland

3

North Queensland Delegation Members Councillor Frank Beveridge Chair, North Queensland Regional

Organisation of Councils and Mayor, Charters Towers Regional Council

Mr Mark Crawley Chief Executive Officer, Charters Towers Regional Council and Secretary, North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils

Mr Ewen Jones MP Federal Member for Herbert, Australian Government

Mr Ray Burton Chief Executive Officer, Townsville City Council

Mr Simon Millcock Acting Manager, Economic Development and Strategic Projects, Townsville City Council

Ms Patricia O’Callaghan Chief Executive Officer, Townsville Enterprise Limited

Mr Patrick Brady Chair, Port of Townsville Ltd

Ms Ranee Crosby Chief Executive Officer, Port of Townsville Ltd

Ms Claudia Brumme-Smith General Manager, Trade and Property, Port of Townsville Ltd

Mr Allan Pidgeon Director, Port of Townsville Ltd

Mr Matt Bennetto State Councillor – North Region, AgForce

Mr George Ryan Director, ZAM Export Pty Ltd

Mr Warren Devlin Economic Development Officer ZAM Export Pty Ltd

Mr Robert Henry Principal, Sugarbag Qld

Ms Rebecca Henry Director, Sugarbag Qld

4

Mr Rob Douglas

Douglas Industries

Ms Kay Douglas Douglas Industries

Mr Bob McKay Commercial Director, Wulguru Group

Ms Margie Atkinson Program Development Manager, James Cook University / growNORTH

5

Official Party Program

Trade Mission to Guangzhou and Huizhou Thursday 16 April to Tuesday 21 April 2015

DAY ONE – Thursday, 16 April 2015 Time Schedule Location 07:55 Arrive Brisbane International Airport Brisbane International Airport

09:55 Depart for Guangzhou - China Southern Airlines CZ382

16:55 Arrive Baiyun International Airport Guangzhou

Met by Mr Zhang, Zijian, Qld Government Trade and Investment Commissioner for China. Transit to Four Seasons Hotel

19:00 Arrive and check-in Four Seasons Hotel

Four Seasons Hotel 5 Zhujiang West Road, Guangzhou 020 88833888

20:00 Dinner

DAY TWO – Friday, 17 April 2015 Time Schedule Location 8:00 Breakfast Four Seasons Hotel

8:30-9:00 China market and itinerary briefing by Commissioner Zhang

9:45 Hotel check-out 10:00 Travel to Department of Agriculture

10:30-11:30 Meeting Mr Zheng, Huidian DDG, Department of Agriculture, Guangdong Provincial Government

Meeting Room, Department of Agriculture No. 135 Xianlie Dong Road, Tianhe District

11:30 Return to Four Seasons Hotel

12:00-12:30 Meeting Mr Dominic Trindade Australian Consul-General, Guangzhou

Jade Hall, 1st Floor, Four Seasons Hotel

12:30-14:30 Queensland Government Agribusiness Investment Luncheon

Pearl II Hall, 1st Floor, Four Seasons Hotel

15:00-17:30 Travel to Huizhou with delegation

17:30 Arrive and check-in Renaissance Huizhou Hotel

Renaissance Huizhou Hotel No. 2 Dong Jiang Two Road Jiang Bei, Hui Cheng District, Huizhou 752 7399999

19:00 Dinner

DAY THREE – Saturday, 18 April 2015

Time Schedule Location 8:00 Breakfast Renaissance Huizhou Hotel 8:30 Travel to Jinze Logistics Park with delegation 8:50-10:30 Visit Jinze Logistics Park (tea break) Jianbei District

6

10:30 Depart for Huidong County Huidong

11:30-12:00 Visit Cold Storage Facilities, introduction to the Sino-Australia Cattle Park (feedlot/quarantine facility being planned)

12:00 Depart for Renaissance Huizhou Hotel Huizhou 12:20-13:20 Lunch (arranged by Huizhou Government) 13:20 Travel to Port of Huizhou 15:10-15:50 Visit Port of Huizhou Huizhou

15:50-17:00 Depart for Renaissance Huizhou Hotel

19:00 Dinner

DAY FOUR – Sunday, 19 April 2015

Time Schedule Location 7:00 Breakfast Renaissance Huizhou Hotel

8:00 – 13:00 Liaison time 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch

16:10 Depart hotel

16:30-17:00 Meeting with Mr Mai Jiaomeng, the Mayor of Huizhou

Huizhou Hotel Function Room, 2nd Floor 17 Huancheng Xi Er Lu Huancheng District 0752 2181 333

17:00-17:30

Witness the signing ceremony -Cooperation agreement between Jinze Enterprise and two north Qld companies: Sugarbag Exports and ZAM Exports Pty Ltd -MOU between Port of Townsville Ltd and Port Authority of Huizhou -MOU between North Queensland Region of Councils and the Huizhou Government

Huizhou Hotel

18:00-18:30 Press conference for MOU signatories Huizhou Hotel

18:30-20:00 Official banquet arranged by Huizhou Municipal Government

Huizhou Hotel

20:00 Return to Renaissance Huizhou Hotel

DAY FIVE – Monday, 20 April 2015

Time Schedule Location

8:00-8:30 Breakfast Renaissance Huizhou Hotel

8:45 Hotel check-out

9:00-10:30 Depart for Guangzhou by bus

10:30-11:30

Meeting with China Communications Construction Company Mr Zhu Lixiang, President of CCCC – FHDI Engineering Company Ltd Mr Chen Youwen, President of CCCC - Urban Planning Engineering Company

No. 161, Qianjin Road, Guangzhou

7

12:00 Lunch hosted by CCCC No. 161, Qianjin Road, Guangzhou

13:30 Depart for hotel

14:00 Check-in Four Seasons Hotel

Four Seasons Hotel 5 Zhujiang West Road, Guangzhou 020 88833888

15:00 Depart for OLE Supermarket

15:30-16:30 Visit OLE Supermarket chain store to inspect imported Australian food products

16:30 Return to Four Seasons Hotel 19:00 Dinner

DAY SIX – Tuesday, 21 April 2015

Time Schedule Location 6:30 Breakfast Four Seasons Hotel 7:30 Hotel check-out 8:00 Depart for Hong Kong International Airport

10:30 Arrive Hong Kong Airport. Met by Ms Angela To, Queensland Government Trade and Investment Commissioner for Hong Kong

Hong Kong International Airport

10:30-11:00 Hong Kong market briefing by Commissioner To The Peak Lookout, Airport Terminal 1 t

12:50 Depart Hong Kong for Brisbane – Cathay Pacific CX157

23:25 Arrive Brisbane International Airport Brisbane

8

Trade Missions – General Objectives • The Government’s Food and Fibre Plan calls for three government-sponsored outward

bound trade missions to be conducted annually to increase exports of Queensland agriculture and food products.

• Rising incomes and increasing consumer demand across Asia present exceptional export opportunities for Queensland’s food and fibre producers. Queensland’s long-standing relationship with Asia remains one of the State’s most important features.

• Targeted trade missions provide a practical and cost effective method of strengthening Queensland’s existing international trading relationships and establishing new business opportunities to support the State’s future economic growth.

• Queensland Government led trade missions demonstrate to overseas buyers that food and fibre export market development has strong Government support and ongoing commitment.

• Targeted planning and coordination of industry and business participation, in the conduct of such trade missions, helps to ensure positive outcomes and increased exports of Queensland food and fibre products.

• Supporting existing markets and developing new overseas markets for Queensland producers enhances job creation prospects across the State’s food and agribusiness sector.

Mission to the People’s Republic of China - Specific Objectives

The intended objectives from this mission were to:

• strengthen Queensland’s trade and investment relationship with China, by exploring opportunities to further develop international linkages, collaborations and partnerships with public and private sector Chinese entities

• promote Queensland’s capabilities and expertise in the agribusiness, infrastructure and services sectors and the State’s ability to supply premium quality agri-food products to meet growing demand from China

• promote Queensland’s agribusiness sector as an attractive destination for Chinese investment.

9

China – Trade and Investment Queensland Briefing Date:

Friday, 17 April 2015

Attendees: Official party

Mr Zijian Zhang

Trade and Investment Commissioner, Trade and Investment Queensland, China Office

Meeting Summary

• Commissioner Zhang provided a briefing on the China market, including an overview of current market intelligence and the prospects for Queensland food and agricultural exports to China.

• Commissioner Zhang reported that China has become the world’s biggest food retail market since 2012 and that Queensland exports of grain, beef, pork and fruits to China have grown substantially since 2010.

• We discussed the potential to strengthen Queensland and China’s trading and investment relationship as a result of the Australian-China Free Trade Agreement which was signed in November 2014. The Agreement is due to take effect in 2015 and will reduce tariffs for a range of agricultural commodities. It will also encourage further Chinese investment in Australia by raising the Foreign Investment Review Board screening threshold for private Chinese companies.

• I informed Commissioner Zhang of my intention to lead future trade and investment missions to China. These missions will be coordinated by my Department in partnership with Trade and Investment Queensland.

10

Meeting with Department of Agriculture, Guangdong Provincial Government Date: Friday, 17 April 2015 Attendees:

Official party

Mr Huidian Zheng

Deputy Director-General, Department of Agriculture of Guangdong Province

Mr Qirong Lui

Director of Office of Animal Health

Mr Heqing Chen

Vice-Director, Division of Exchange and Cooperation, Department of Agriculture of Guangdong Province

Mr Sanyon Chen

Vice-Director, Office of Animal Husbandry

Mr Yaling Zheng

Section Chief, Division of Exchange and Cooperation, Department of Agriculture of Guangdong Province

Meeting Summary

• This meeting provided an opportunity to engage with China’s Guangdong Provincial Government to discuss matters of mutual benefit relating to agriculture.

• As Deputy Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, Mr Zheng is responsible for the Department’s animal husbandry and veterinary areas. He leads the General Institute of Animal Health and Quarantine; Animal Husbandry Technology Promotion Centre; and the Veterinary Drugs Quality Inspection Institute.

• I noted that Mr Zheng met the former Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Mr John McVeigh in September 2013 during a meeting with the former Deputy Director-General of his Department, Ms Cheng Ping. Mr Zheng also visited Queensland in September 2013 with the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine to discuss trade protocol for live cattle imports into China.

• Mr Zheng provided an economic overview of Guangdong Province, which is China’s most populous with 110 million permanent residents and 30 million migrant workers. He reported that trade between Guangdong and Australia was valued at approximately US$1 billion in 2014, an increase of 25 percent on the previous year. The province is not self-sufficient in grain (including feed grains) or meat production. Mr Zheng noted Guangdong’s interest in importing live cattle in the near future.

• I acknowledged that China is a valued trade and investment partner for Queensland and communicated the Queensland Government’s desire to strengthen our partnership with Guangdong Province.

• I highlighted the importance of agriculture to the Queensland economy and outlined Queensland’s expertise in beef production, broad acre crop production and tropical crop production, and reputation for safe, clean, quality produce.

11

• I emphasised Queensland’s world best practice record of food safety, animal health, veterinary drug and chemical control and animal traceability.

• I outlined potential opportunities for research and development (R&D) collaboration between our two Departments, for example, in the areas of veterinary and animal husbandry (including R&D/management technology for feeder cattle, semen and artificial insemination breeder technology), food sciences and plant breeding technologies.

• I have asked my Department to consult with the Queensland beef industry as the live cattle trade progresses with China, to investigate supply opportunities and supply chain impediments. I have also requested that my Department further explores opportunities for R&D collaboration and information sharing with the Guangdong Department of Agriculture.

12

Meeting with Mr Dominic Trindade, Consul-General, Guangzhou Date: Friday, 17 April 2015 Attendees:

Official party

Mr Dominic Trindade

Australian Consul-General, Guangzhou

Meeting Summary

• I received a briefing from the Consul-General on the trade and investment relationship between Australian and China, specifically southern China.

• I informed the Consul-General that the purpose of my mission to China was to build on the relationship and friendship between Queensland and Guangdong Province, following a visit to Queensland in March 2015 by the Guangdong Logistic Industry Association and the Huizhou Government.

• I discussed the outcomes of the March 2015 visit. These included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Townsville Port Authority to cooperate on a plan to develop direct shipping between Townsville and Huizhou, and a Memorandum of Understanding between the Guangdong Logistic Industry Association and the Charters Towers Regional Council, to examine opportunities for the shipping of cattle between Townsville and Southern China.

• The Consul-General highlighted climatic similarities between Queensland and Guangdong and the complementarity of the two economies. He noted that while there are some State Owned Enterprises, the majority of trade and investment activities are conducted in the private sector, on a business-to-business basis. This will have relevance to future agribusiness investment transactions in Australia.

• We discussed Queensland’s Friendship Agreement with Guangdong and opportunities to build on Queensland’s friendship arrangements with Guangdong and Shanghai. We also discussed the potential to strengthen the sister city agreement between Brisbane and Shenzhen. I have asked my Department to investigate these opportunities further.

• I informed the Consul-General that the cities of Guangzhou and Huizhou plan to lead another delegation to Queensland in mid 2015.

13

Queensland Government Agribusiness Investment Luncheon Date: Friday, 17 April 2015 Attendees: Official party

North Queensland delegation members

VIP Attendees

Mr Dominic Trindade

Australian Consul-General, Guangzhou

Ms Julie-Anne Nichols Deputy Consul-General (Commercial), Senior Trade Commissioner, Australian Trade Commission

Mr Guangqiang Huang Chief Financial Officer, Shenzhen Yuansi Dacheng Co. Ltd

Mr William Han Chairman, White Horse Group

Mrs Xin Wang Executive Director, China Investments Holdings Ltd

Mr Xi Song President, Foshan Gaoge Meat United Co. Ltd

Mr Wayne Zhang General Manager, Guangzhou Huanxin Investment Co. Ltd

Mr Shunjia Zhou General Manager, Shenyang Yongxin Animal Husbandry Co. Ltd

Mr Jinxiong Zhong President, Hainan Luoniushan Co. Ltd

Mr Shunchao Liang President, Foshan Wanxin Cotton Co. Ltd

Mr William Sun Director, Guangdong Logistic Industry Association

Mr Jack Huang Director, Massen Food Co. Ltd

Mr Yaxu Nie President, Jinwen Group

Mr Junsheng Luo Chairman, Pollyart Group Holdings Ltd

Mr Shaosan Zheng Vice President, Guangzhou Textiles Holdings Ltd

Mr Wayne Wang President, Longsheng Trading

Ms Katie He Purchasing Manager, Bester Foods Co. Ltd

Ms Donghui Sun General Manager, North & South Co. Ltd

Mr Qiumin Li Director, Guangzhou Global Food Co. Ltd

14

Event Summary

• The luncheon was hosted by the Queensland Government and provided an opportunity to develop and strengthen relationships with representatives from Guangdong-based businesses which are considering investment in the Queensland agribusiness sector and/or importing beef and fruit from Queensland.

• I delivered a five minute address to the 50 guests who attended. In my speech I:

• highlighted that the Queensland Government welcomes foreign investment in the agriculture sector

• noted that investors from China have already made a number of significant investments in Queensland agriculture

• promoted that Queensland is focused on the integrity of the supply chain and product quality and safety

• stated that Queensland has an excellent record on food safety, animal health, veterinary drug and chemical control and animal traceability.

• Queensland Angus beef was served at the luncheon, which is a preferred Chinese beef variety.

• There has been growing interest in Queensland from investors in southern China over the past few years. These investors are active in beef production and meat processing sectors in China. Interest has also come from potential investors who are not currently operating in these sectors in China.

• Food importer-distributors in southern China have focused on meat and seafood. The Chinese buyers have specific interests in sourcing frozen and chilled boxed beef, spanner crab, coral trout, tropical rock lobster, tuna, scallop, prawn and other species of tropical fish.

• Trade and Investment Queensland’s China Office will partner with Austrade to lead a buyer and investor mission to Beef Australia in Rockhampton in May 2015. There are more than 200 delegates from across China participating including thirty-five from southern China (including Guangdong Province).

15

Site visits to agricultural enterprises along the Guangdong Province supply chain Date: Saturday, 18 April 2015 Attendees:

Official Party

Site visit summary

• The site visits provided an opportunity to view the operation of a variety of agricultural enterprises along the supply chain in the Guangdong Province.

• The site visits were undertaken to:

• Jinze Logistics Park

• Cold Storage Facilities, Sino-Australia Cattle Park

• Port of Huizhou

• The Jinze Logistics Park is the first of its kind to be developed in Huizhou and the largest and most widely used logistics centre in east Guangdong province. It was established by the Jinze Investment Group Ltd which provides logistics, warehousing, information, property management, business investment and construction services.

• With a population of 4.5 million residents, Huizhou is considered to be a third tier city by Chinese standards. There is a strong focus on the development of the petro-chemical, industrial chemical, heavy industry and nuclear energy industries. There is significant existing capability in the food supply chain. Approximately forty per cent of the food leaving China for Hong Kong passes through the area.

• There is potential for Queensland to expand dairy exports to China in the fresh product category, milk and ice cream. However, there are long lead times in obtaining Chinese food safety certification for dairy exports, on average up to two years.

• Queensland has the largest feedlot sector in Australia. With extensive expertise, particularly in the operation of tropical feedlots, there are opportunities for Queensland to share knowledge and industry practices with China.

• The Port of Huizhou is a natural coastal port located east of Shenzhen and Hong Kong which opens into Daya Bay. It was established 20 years ago and has grown from a small fishing village to become a significant part of the Pearl River Delta shipping hub.

16

Meeting with Mr Mai Jiaomeng, Mayor of Huizhou, China Date: Sunday, 19 April 2015

Attendees:

Official party

Mr Mai Jiaomeng

Mayor, Huizhou Municipal People’s Government

Meeting summary

• This meeting provided an opportunity to establish a business relationship with the Mayor of Huizhou and to identify potential future business collaborations between Queensland and Huizhou.

• This meeting followed a visit by the Huizhou Government delegation to North Queensland in March 2015.

• Mayor Mai provided an overview of Huizhou and its economic interests. The city has a long history of trade and is heavily focused on petro-chemical, computing, electrical technology, audio technologies and pharmaceuticals industries. Huizhou has contributed to the Pearl River Delta’s achievement as the most developed economic region in China. Exports from Huizhou to Australia were US$278 million in 2013 and US$295 million in 2014 and there is interest in enhancing this trading relationship.

• Following the meeting, I was present for the signing of three agreements. These have resulted from the Huizhou Government’s visit to North Queensland in March 2015:

• a Cooperation Agreement between Jinze Enterprise and two north Queensland companies: Sugarbag Exports, a national beef cattle export facility with a quarantine depot at Mourilyan Harbour and ZAM Exports Pty Ltd, live cattle exporters and livestock training providers

• a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Port of Townsville Ltd and Port Authority of Huizhou to facilitate further discussion on the potential to establish a new direct shipping service between Huizhou and Townsville and progress discussion on investment projects for the Townsville port

• a MOU between North Queensland Region of Councils and the Huizhou Government.

• I noted the other potential investment projects the Huizhou Government is interested in pursuing including the construction of a five star hotel in Townsville; the opening of a Huizhou Business Consul office in Townsville to support importing/exporting and investment projects; and discussion regarding the development of an "enterprise zone” based in the State Development Area in Townsville.

17

Official Banquet Dinner - Huizhou Date: Sunday, 19 April 2015

Attendees:

Official party

North Queensland delegation members

VIP Attendees

Mr Mai Jiaomeng Mayor of Huizhou, China

Mr Huang Shuzheng Vice Mayor of Huizhou

Mr Chen Yuehua Deputy Director, Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province

Mr Li Zhenghua Deputy Director, Foreign Affairs Office of Guangdong Provincial People’s Government

Mr Luo Daoxu Deputy Director, Bureau of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Department of Agriculture of Guangdong Province

Mr Ma Renhong Executive Chairman, Guangdong Logistic Association

Ms Liang Yuxia Secretary-General, Guangdong Logistic Association

Mr Lin Huiqin

Deputy Secretary-General, Huizhou Municipal People’s Government

Mr Zhan Xiaodong Director, Bureau of Agriculture of Huizhou Municipality

Ms Ye Suping General Manager, Jinze Group

Mr Chen Jian

Vice General Manager, Jinze Group

Event Summary

• This event was hosted by the Huizhou Municipal Government to acknowledge the earlier signing of:

• a Cooperation Agreement between Jinze Enterprise and two North Queensland companies, Sugarbag Exports and ZAM Exports Pty Ltd

• a MOU between the Port of Townsville Ltd and the Port Authority of Huizhou

• a MOU between North Queensland Region of Councils and the Huizhou Government.

18

• This event provided an opportunity to engage with Huizhou and Guangzhou business and government representatives and foster stronger relations with the Huizhou Government.

• I delivered a speech to the 45 guests who attended. In my speech I: • highlighted that agriculture is one of Queensland’s main industries and offers

significant opportunities to its trading partners • promoted that Queensland’s well established trading relationship with China is

already significant and Queensland is ideally positioned to service additional demand for premium quality agri-food products and support services

• informed the attendees of Queensland’s expertise in genetics, on-farm and meat

processing practices, and our interest to work with our Chinese partners to share this knowledge for our mutual benefit

• promoted the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, which is scheduled to

commence later in 2015.

19

Meeting with China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) Date:

Attendees:

Monday, 20 April, 2015

Official party

North Queensland delegation members

Mr Zhu Lixiang

Chairman and President, CCCC – FHDI Engineering Company Ltd

Mr Chen Youwen

President, CCCC – Urban Planning Engineering Co Ltd

Mr Liao Jianhang

Deputy General Manager, CCCC-FHDI Engineering Co Ltd

Meeting summary

• The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the potential for CCCC’s investment in the Port of Townsville to facilitate trade and development opportunities between North Queensland and China.

• CCCC is a state-owned construction company specialising in large transport projects, including ports, bridges, tunnels and high–speed rail networks. FHDI and Urban Planning Engineering are subsidiaries of CCCC.

• I acknowledged the CCCC’s $1 billion acquisition of John Holland from Leighton Holdings and CCCC’s plans to use John Holland’s expertise in road and rail projects, tunneling and water infrastructure projects in Asia.

• I acknowledged the signing of a MOU in March 2015 between CCCC and the Townsville Port Authority to cooperate on a plan to develop direct shipping between Townsville and Huizhou, and a MOU between the Guangdong Logistic Industry Association and Charters Towers Regional Council to examine opportunities for shipping livestock between North Queensland and southern China.

• We discussed Port of Townsville development projects including new berths, the Ross Creek “China Town” project to link the cruise ship terminal with the CBD and the creation of a tax free enterprise zone in the Townsville state industrial area.

• During the meeting I emphasised the economic significance of China to Queensland and that the Queensland Government welcomes continued Chinese investment in the State.

20

Visit to Ole’ Supermarket TaiKoo Hui Store Date: Monday, 20 April 2015

Attendees:

Official party

Mr Liu XianLin Store Manager, Ole’ Supermarket TaiKoo Hui Store

Site visit summary

• The purpose of the site visit was to inspect Ole’ Supermarket, one of the largest high-end supermarkets in China. The visit provided an opportunity to view first-hand how Queensland products are displayed and sold in a retail setting. The supermarket stocks a range of Queensland products including Queensland beef, yoghurt and packaged herbs and spices.

• The Ole' Supermarket group is planning an in-store Oceania Fair food promotion from 15 to 24 May 2015. The Fair will be held in 48 Ole’ and Better Life Together stores in China. Seven Queensland suppliers have expressed interest in participating in the Fair, which will include online promotion, in-store displays, food tastings and cooking classes. Trade and Investment Queensland will organise the Fair in partnership with the New Zealand Consulate General and Meat and Livestock Australia.

• I thanked Mr Liu for the opportunity to visit the store and highlighted that Queensland is renowned for high quality food products and its capacity to supply a variety of retail products to satisfy consumer needs.

21

Hong Kong – Trade and Investment Queensland Briefing Date:

Tuesday, 21 April 2015

Attendees:

Official party

Ms Angelo To

Trade and Investment Commissioner, Trade and Investment Queensland, Hong Kong and Macau

Meeting Summary

• Commissioner To provided a briefing on the Hong Kong market, including current market intelligence and the prospects for Queensland food and agricultural exports to Hong Kong and Macau.

• Commissioner To reported that Hong Kong is the world’s eighth largest trading economy and heavily reliant on imported food products, importing 95 per cent of its food and beverages. The small but niche market of Macau, with 500,000 residents, is almost exclusively dependent on imports, the majority of which are processed through Hong Kong and mainland China.

• Consumer tastes in Hong Kong are highly sophisticated. There is growing demand for premium quality, sustainable and safe food and beverages (both fresh and value added) including meat, fruits and vegetables, seafood and functional foods. In 2013-14, Queensland’s major food and agricultural exports to Hong Kong comprised: meat and meat preparations ($111.0 million), fish and related products ($93.9 million); and fruit and vegetables ($15.8 million).

• Hong Kong is Queensland’s 14th largest source of foreign investment. The majority of investments are made in the resources and real estate sectors.

22