PRIME MINISTER
SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATIG MP
BUSIES RECEPTIO AMD CMINIS
SHAHIM SAURDAY, 26 JUNK 1993
It is fitting that my last public speaking opportunity on
this visit to Korea and China, should be to a
predominantly business audience.
This visit has been very much about business: about
impressing on our hosts how much Australia has to offer;
about. encouraging and supporting Australian firms already
out in the international field; and about sending clear
signals to the business community back home about what
can be achieved.
Let me say that my task has been made a lot easier in the
last few days by seeing first-hand how successful
Australian companies have been in establishing critical
business relationships in this country.
The scoreboard is impressive. In Beijing, I attended
ribbon cutting ceremonies for four new ventures involving
Alcatel, AAP, the ANZ Banking Group and Cadbury
Schweppes. In Shanghai today I participated in a
foundation stone-laying ceremony for the new Shanghai
Fosters Brewery.
Ind here this evening we are celebrating two other recent
events: the opening of the Australian Wool Corporation's
Shanghai office; and ACI's conclusion of a joint venture
for the establishment of two plants one in Shanghai and
one in Guangzhou. which are expected to make it the
biggest manufacturer of glass containers in China.
As well, I know there are representatives here from other
Australian companies, like Suspension Components, who are
setting up in Shanghai.
In naming these recent successes I should not overlook
the achievements of many other Australian companies.
Even before these recent announcements there were an
estimated 540 Australian companies operating in China.
But what is remarkable about the list of companies I've
named is the diversity.
r rom the Wool Corporation, representing one of our
oldest and most valuable comodity exports.
To Alcatel and AAP, involved with Chinese partners
in sophisticated communications technology.
From the ANZ Banking Group, whose new branch here in
shangha-i will signal Australian competitiveness in
the services sector.
To joint ventures in sophisticated goods-processing
and packaging and industrial components.
I congratulate all of these companies for their
enterprise. Their achievements leave no doubt about our ability . to
succeed here in China and elsewhere in the region and
that is a message I will be taking home to Australia.
The integration of our economy with Asia is not a
speculative venture but a fact waiting to happen.
That doesn't mean it will be easy. I daresay there is no
one in this room who would say that it has been easy, but
equally I doubt if there is anyone who would not say that
it was a chance that had to be grasped.
And I'm sure that ACI and the Australian Wool Corporation
would be among these.
Let me congratulate them both, and now please join me in
a toast to them, and indeed to the success of all
Australian business endeavours here in Saga
China, and throughout the region. Shgai. i