Press Release
Sydney, January 29, 2007 | Sydney, November 20, 2007 | Sydney, August 15, 2006
Sydney, August 9, 2006 | Sydney, May 9, 2006
Sydney, January 29, 2007
Japan Experts to Speak Ahead of FTA Negotiations
29 January, Sydney -- Ahead of the historic start of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between Australia and Japan, experts on the bilateral relationship will be speaking at a February 5 press conference at the NSW Department of State and Regional Development's facility in Martin Place.
Speakers will include Peter Hartcher, political editor of the Sydney Morning Herald and former Japan foreign correspondent, and Steven Fairbrother from the Japan External Trade Organization. Experts from Newsnet and MediaWire will also be offering Australian companies advice on promoting their businesses in the Japanese market.
After more than a decade in the economic doldrums, the Japanese economy appears finally to have resolved many of the structural issues responsible for its lacklustre performance, not least the mountain of bad debt on the books of its banks. Moreover, it has emerged profoundly changed from its former postwar industrial model. Technological advances, demographic realities, government deregulation, and more outspoken consumers have forced sweeping changes to even the most hidebound companies, and Japan is now more open to foreign business, their products and their ideas than ever before.
This new reality translates into significant opportunities for Australian business in Japan, and not just in the Tokyo market,"
said James M. Pach, president of the AJBA. Potential markets for Australians range from information technology to food and beverages.
Austrade experts in each of the key regional centres of Japan can be instrumental in helping Australian business understand the market,
make contacts and establish a foothold.
About the AJBA :
The Australia Japan Business Association (AJBA) was established by James M. Pach in early 2006, coinciding with the Year of Exchange between
Australian and Japan , with the goal of providing opportunities to Australian and Japanese business for exchange and information
beyond the traditional resources segment. Its program of events has included four breakfast conferences in 2006, attracting more than 100
participants. These conferences will be supplemented in 2007 with regular cocktail events, covering different industry themes ranging
from tourism through ICT and education. Registration forms for the November 28 event can be downloaded from the AJBA website at www.ajba.com.au.