To Celebrate the Fifth Year of China-Australia Free Trade Agreement and the Successful Conclusion of Australian Product Promotion Activities

The China-Australia free trade agreement has yielded remarkable results since it came into force in 2015. A new round of tariff cuts will begin in 2019. At that time, both China and Australia will enjoy zero tariff benefits in bilateral trade. In order to celebrate this important event and spread Australian food culture, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission and the Commercial Office of the Australian Consulate General in Guangzhou, together with Guangdong Imported Food Association held policy interpretation and Australian product promotion activities on December 17.

In order to let the guests to know more Australian zero tariff product information, and at the same time to communicate with the importers and jointly explore business opportunities, Australian brand food, dairy products, beef, coffee, honey, cereal, wine, beer, health care products and consumer goods were displayed at the scene of the activity.

In the promotion session, Mr. Paul Sanda, Australian deputy consul general in Guangzhou, made an opening speech. In his speech, the vice consul general mentioned that since the signing of the free trade agreement between China and Australia, the relationship between the two countries have become closer and closer. It is hoped that under the circumstance of the second time tariff reduction in 2019, cooperation with the association will be deepened to jointly expand the development of Australian products in China. Then, Mr. Qi Yilong, president of the association, introduced current situation of the association and made an interpretation of the current situation of Sino-Australian trade to the guests and vice consul general.

At the same time, in order to enable the guests to further understand the relevant policies of Australia, the representative of Australian Trade and Investment Commission gave a detailed presentation on policies in the areas of agribusiness, consumer goods, health products, packaged foods and beverages.

After the promotion, the organizer arranged a tasting session of Australian products and a business negotiation session. The response was warm and the conversation was harmonious at the scene of the activities. Most of the participants said that the quality of Australian products is very high and they hope to continue to import Australian products with the support of the policy in the future.

As the supporting unit of this event, the quality and organizing ability of the guests invited by Guangdong Imported Food Association were highly praised by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission. At the same time, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission expressed the hope that it could continue to cooperate with the association in the long term and jointly promote the development of Australian industry in the future.