IF your business is looking to learn more about the growing Asian market, head along to a conference in Warrnambool.
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Building links with Asian business will be the focus of a forum in Warrnambool on Monday.
Warrnambool’s status as a leading regional city in fostering Asian capability in its businesses has helped to secure the Federal Government-supported event.
Warrnambool was the only regional Victorian city selected to host Asialink’s State of the Nation: ASEAN Roadshow.
It will explore opportunities for businesses to tap into the burgeoning Asian market, particularly in regards to e-commerce.
Asialink business development manager Thomas Day said the city was at the forefront when it came to connecting with Asia.
“The reason we chose Warrnambool is that we really see it as a leading centre of internationalisation,” he said.
“Warrnambool is really leading the charge and there are a lot of really innovative businesses doing great things.
“I’ve been to Warrnambool twice now and I think it’s a city that is quite adaptable and open to the opportunities.”
A panel will also explore key trends and market insights.
Mr Day said that more and more Warrnambool businesses were taking steps to engage with the Asian market such as providing Chinese signage and menus as well as accepting Union Pay.
“I think it’s little things like that which have shown that these businesses have gone beyond recognising that there is an opportunity and they are actually getting things done,” he said.
The panel discussion will be held in Melbourne and livestreamed to Warrnambool with audience members able to submit questions.
The panel consists of PriceWaterhouseCoopers’ head of innovation and disruption Kate Eriksson, AustCham ASEAN’s president Fraser Thompson, Telstra’s head of global sales Nigel Stitt, and Airwallex’s chief operating officer Lucy Liu.
Minister for Trade and Investment, Innovation and the Digital Economy, Small Business Philip Dalidakis will give a keynote address.
Warrnambool City Council also operates the award winning Warrnambool China Bureau which assists businesses to connect with the unique opportunities available.
Mr Day said as well as providing access to some of the nation’s top experts in the field, the Warrnambool roadshow would be a place where like-minded businesses could meet and share their experiences in the Asian market either domestically or via exports.
“One of the aims of the session is to get Warrnambool businesses to connect with each other,” he said.
“The forum is a way of getting people together to talk about their experiences and share their ideas, insights and success stories.”
Asialink is a partnership between the Federal Government, the Myer Foundation and the University of Melbourne to help Australian businesses engage with Asia.
The event is free to attend and will be held at the Civic Centre, 25 Liebig Street.
