AUSTRADE is calling for businesses to take advantage of the growing trade ties with China and participate in the upcoming ‘Celebrate Australia’ expo in Shanghai. Austrade’s Shanghai-based Senior Trade Commissioner, Christopher Wright, many of Australia’s creative, artistic and lifestyle products and service exports to China had doubled, and in some cases tripled, during the past five years. “Exports of textiles, fabrics, personal, cultural and recreational services have doubled whereas jewellery, paintings, drawings art and student enrolments have tripled,” Mr Wright said. “China’s economy is becoming market based and driving real incomes up, providing the catalyst for greater living standards and demand for consumer goods. “Celebrate Australia is designed to allow visitors to experience Australia, while providing participating Australian businesses with an opportunity to make export sales and meet key contacts. It will promote Australia as an international innovator in fashion and design, textiles, food and beverage, education, tourism, lifestyle, business and performing arts/culture. “This event, Celebrate Australia in Shanghai, will help Australian businesses get a foot-hold in the lucrative and growing consumer market in China,” he said. Australia’s exports to China have more than doubled in five years. For the financial year 2005-06 to April, merchandise exports were valued at $14.4 billion compared with $6.3 billion for the same period in 2000-01. Celebrate Australia will take place in Shanghai from October 21 to 24 2006. Registration deadline is Friday August 25.