The upcoming trade and investment mission to China next week is yet another great opportunity for our state and for our future prosperity.
It is important that we continue to strengthen our valuable partnership with China as it supports investment, Tasmanian business and jobs.
I will be joining the Minister for State Growth Matthew Groom for part of the trade and investment mission to reflect the importance with which the government considers our relationship with China, our largest trading partner.
I will be holding several meetings with potential investors and attending Savour Tasmania, which for the first time is being held outside the state, in Shanghai, on September 9.
More than 300 people have already registered for the event, including prospective clients and distributors of Tasmania’s food and beverage industry, high end restaurant and hotel buyers identified by AusTrade, key prospective investors and clients across sectors including energy, Antarctic and education.
Savour Tasmania will be a tremendous showcase for the premium produce that our island state is renowned for.
The menu, constructed by Tasmanian chef Andre Kropp, will include Huon Aquaculture salmon and caviar, Petuna Seafoods trout, Tas Prime Oysters, Greenhams beef, Ralph's Tasmanian Seafood abalone, Howard Hansen apples and Josef Chromy and Nocton Park wine.
It is also important we demonstrate that we value the relationship we have with China, particularly in the face of the disgraceful scare campaign being run by the unions and the Labor Party against the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
The eight-day mission to Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Fuzhou and Hainan will build on the immediate benefits we have already seen from our strengthening friendship with China, including a 73 per cent increase in Chinese tourists and strong growth in exports.
The mission will focus on promoting our key growth sectors in agri-food, international education and training, hospitality and tourism, our Antarctic Gateway, energy, resources and finance services.
More details will be released by the Minister for State Growth tomorrow.