The first half of our trade and investment mission has been busy and very productive, with new opportunities to expand our relations with China, our largest trading partner.
Over four days of meetings in Fuzhou and Xi'an we have built upon our already strong economic, cultural and diplomatic links, which will create further opportunities for Tasmanian trade, investment and jobs.
The inaugural meeting of the Joint Committee for Cooperation and Development between Tasmania and Fujian has identified key prospects for trade, including an exciting commitment from Fujian to explore better air links between us.
We visited a Yongshui Superstore, one of the largest supermarket chains in China, which sells quality Tasmanian produce to Chinese consumers. There is enormous potential for our exporters, a number of who are represented on the mission, with an estimated 200 million Chinese consumers now seeking the type of high quality products Tasmania provides.
Meetings with senior Fujian and Shanxi Province officials were very productive in strengthening our economic and cultural relationships, including the signing of a new sister-city agreement between Hobart and Xi'an. These partnerships include commitments to increase trade and exchange in areas of mutual interest, such as energy, forestry, agriculture, fisheries, education and tourism. We have secured commitments from both provinces to send delegations to Tasmania to see first-hand what we have to offer.
Tonight in Beijing it will be my great honour to again meet with His Excellency President Xi and Madam Peng, providing an extraordinary opportunity to further strengthen our relationship with China and to promote Tasmania at the highest level.
Tomorrow and Wednesday I will be joined by additional delegates including the Coordinator-General, and we will be sharply focused on business and trade opportunities in Beijing and Shanghai.
Programmed events include business roundtables, a TasInvest and tourism networking forum and direct meetings with potential investors.