WITH more than seven million people, the Chinese city of Changchun presents a huge potential market for south-west Victorian produce. Friday’s announcement in Warrnambool of $330,000 to open new trade links is a positive step.
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The Victorian government will chip in $225,000 plus $75,000 from the city council and $30,000 from local businesses to employ a Chinese development expert to be based in Warrnambool and help open doors into the lucrative Changchun market.
Money will also be spent on research as well as supporting local businesses to develop their skills and understanding of doing business in China.
Warrnambool already has a foot in the door with an official sister city relationship with Changchun which has sparked several international visits.
There are complex cultural and economic layers that need to be negotiated by newcomers to get a foothold into the Chinese market, so having someone with inside knowledge based in south-west Victoria will be crucial in getting past first base.
Several business representatives from China have previously expressed interest in our region and vice versa south-west operators, particularly in dairying and meat processing, are keen to get their products on Chinese shelves.
Our region produces some of the world’s best and cleanest food — it’s just a matter of getting the export links to start the flow and then keep it going.
Changchun is no insignificant region on the vast Chinese map.
It is regarded as the nation’s largest automobile manufacturing, research and development centre, and has been dubbed China’s Detroit.
The region also produces half of China’s passenger trains and 10 per cent of tractors, plus it is a major technology, education and transport hub.
South-west Victoria will be competing against lots of other nations and even other Aussie regions, so we’ll need all the door openers we can get.
For the sake of our own economic growth, employment and status, let’s all hope the official friendship with Changchun has a practical outcome.