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2013 Canberra Networking Day

12 March 2013

The Australia China Business Council (ACBC) in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade welcomed ACBC members to its annual Canberra Networking Day held at Parliament House.

The event was well attended by a diverse range of members from around Australia. Amongst those in attendance were delegates from ACBC member companies such as resources, financial services, higher education, legal and retail.

ACBC members were treated to presentations from the following Members of Parliament:

• The Hon. Wayne Swan MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer
• The Hon. Dr Craig Emerson MP, Minister for Trade and Competitiveness, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Asian Century Policy.
• Senator the Hon. Bob Carr, Minister for Foreign Affairs
• The Hon. Martin Ferguson AM MP, Minister for Resources and Energy, Minister for Tourism
• The Hon. Joe Ludwig MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Minister Assisting on Queensland Floods Recovery, Senator for Queensland.
• The Hon Kelvin Thomson
• The Hon. Julie Bishop MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition

Members also received briefings from:

• Michael Clifton, Country Manager, China – Senior Trade Commissioner, Shanghai
• Kevin Hobgood-Brown, Deputy Chairman – Australia China Council.
• Paul Glasson, Vice President – Chair, China Sub-Committee – Australia China Business Council

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Australia kindly hosted a dinner reception where members were received by the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Mr Chen Yuming and a range of officials on matters concerning the bilateral trade relationship.

ACBC views Canberra Networking Day as a key event in a wider series of Australia China focused seminars, briefings and networking functions held throughout the year across Australia and in China. The annual event presents ACBC members with a key advantage in expanding their China operations and wider business networks, and is a significant benefit of membership whilst demonstrating the depth of our working relationship with government.