Australian exporters will be able to take advantage of a free international business networking program during next year’s Beijing Olympic Games.
Australian exporters will be able to take advantage of a free international business networking program during next year’s Beijing Olympic Games.
Business Club Australia, which was officially launched last week by Trade Minister Warren Truss, is an initiative of export promotion agency Austrade. It aims to help Australian companies develop business contacts through its program ‘Business Club Australia – Beijing 2008 Olympic Games’.
The membership-based program will consist of a series of networking events and business matching services in Beijing and Australia, catering for both Australian and international companies.
Austrade chief executive officer Peter O’Byrne said the program had used high-profile sporting events in the past to establish long-term, profitable business connections for its members.
These sporting events have included the 2000 Olympic Games, Rugby World Cup 2003, last year’s Melbourne Commonwealth Games, the 2006 Spring Racing Carnival and the 12th FINA World Swimming Championships.
The Sydney Olympics program alone generated about 14,000 visitors to various networking functions during the games.
The Business Club program has also received endorsement from the Australian Olympic Committee as Australia’s official international business program for the games.
About 150 businesses in Western Australia are currently members of the club.
Perth-based Kingston College director Linda Liu joined Business Club Australia last month and said she planned to attend the networking functions in Beijing next year.
“We have a lot of ventures in China, so any exposure we have over there is a good thing for us,” she said. “I hope to be able to meet other people who are interested in doing business with us.”
Ms Liu said the club would provide an opportunity to network with schools in China, with a view to establishing joint ventures on teaching programs.
East Fremantle-based artistic and corporate photography business Silver Orange is also a member of Business Club Australia.
Founder Christine Tomas said she would be flying to Italy, France and Spain during the Rugby World Cup later this year to promote her business and attend one of the business club functions.
“I think it’s a good opportunity to leverage my networks,” she said.
The program has delivered $1.7 billion in business deals to date, and has 8,500 members internationally.
