Sydney businesses only scratching the surface of Asia’s business openings

News Feed
Tuesday, 22 May 2018

SYDNEY’s businesses have only scratched the surface of potential opportunities in Asia, according to social and business commentator Bernard Salt, managing director of The Demographics Group.

Speaking ahead of the free City of Sydney Future Asia Business Summit on Tuesday 29 May, Salt said Sydney’s business, aviation and heritage connections means the city is ideally placed to explore ‘a wealth of opportunities’.

“Sydney has a strong Asian population base and it’s a preferred city for Asian students, visitors and investors who are attracted to the city’s premier business and cultural facilities,” Salt said.

“Sydney is a global city and Australia’s portal into the international economy and especially Asian markets, but Sydney is just scratching the surface of its engagement opportunities with Asia. It’s time to dig deeper and explore the huge potential.

“There are 53 cities in China with a population larger than Adelaide, yet Sydney only has flights to 19 of these cities. There’s clearly a long way to go yet.”

Salt is keynote speaker at the Future Asia conference, which will bring together industry experts and business leaders from across Asia to provide insights, knowledge sharing and networking opportunities to support businesses.

Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore said the Future Asia Business Summit will further strengthen Sydney’s economic relationships within Asia.

“Sydney is ranked in the top 10 most-connected cities world wide, it’s the number one business events destination in Australia and has the country’s biggest tech startup ecosystem. But there is strong interstate and international competition and we cannot be complacent,” she said.

“We have a unique opportunity to build on our multicultural connections, especially the strong cultural, economic and civic ties we have established with our Asian neighbours over many decades.

“Events like this help ensure Sydney continues to develop as a globally competitive and innovative city in key sectors, such as international education, tourism, the Indigenous economy, tech startups, the green economy, and creative and digital services.”

The Future Asia Business Summit will include presentations, case studies and panel discussions from local and international business and industry leaders, including Bernard Salt and:

Alan Chan – chairman of the Land Transport Authority in Singapore.

Bonnie Shek – director of the Australia & New Zealand Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

Doctor Marlene Kanga AM – non-executive director of Asialink Business, president of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, advisor of Innovation and Science Australia, director of iOmniscient, and board member of BESydney.

Elena Kirillova – state directorNSW/ACT at the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade).

Simon Henry* – entrepreneur and co-founder of China startup, UWAI.com.

*Shanghai-based Australian entrepreneur Simon Henry will share his insights on tailoring businesses to tap into the billion dollar Chinese tourism industry.

“International tourism is the greatest opportunity for the Australian economy, jobs and security since the mining boom,” Henry said.

“Chinese tourists spend more than three times that of local customers and have a larger discretionary budget for food and beverage, accommodation and retail than other consumers, yet it’s hard for local businesses to engage this segment.

“Our approach is not how can we make money from the Chinese market, rather, how can we help create relationships and trust between people who don’t speak the same language?”

The Future Asia Business Summit will be held Tuesday 29 May, 10:30am to 1:30pm, Sydney Town Hall.

Cost is free, but attendance is by invitation only.

Sydney businesses only scratching the surface of Asia’s business openings

News Feed
Tuesday, 22 May 2018

SYDNEY’s businesses have only scratched the surface of potential opportunities in Asia, according to social and business commentator Bernard Salt, managing director of The Demographics Group.

Speaking ahead of the free City of Sydney Future Asia Business Summit on Tuesday 29 May, Salt said Sydney’s business, aviation and heritage connections means the city is ideally placed to explore ‘a wealth of opportunities’.

“Sydney has a strong Asian population base and it’s a preferred city for Asian students, visitors and investors who are attracted to the city’s premier business and cultural facilities,” Salt said.

“Sydney is a global city and Australia’s portal into the international economy and especially Asian markets, but Sydney is just scratching the surface of its engagement opportunities with Asia. It’s time to dig deeper and explore the huge potential.

“There are 53 cities in China with a population larger than Adelaide, yet Sydney only has flights to 19 of these cities. There’s clearly a long way to go yet.”

Salt is keynote speaker at the Future Asia conference, which will bring together industry experts and business leaders from across Asia to provide insights, knowledge sharing and networking opportunities to support businesses.

Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore said the Future Asia Business Summit will further strengthen Sydney’s economic relationships within Asia.

“Sydney is ranked in the top 10 most-connected cities world wide, it’s the number one business events destination in Australia and has the country’s biggest tech startup ecosystem. But there is strong interstate and international competition and we cannot be complacent,” she said.

“We have a unique opportunity to build on our multicultural connections, especially the strong cultural, economic and civic ties we have established with our Asian neighbours over many decades.

“Events like this help ensure Sydney continues to develop as a globally competitive and innovative city in key sectors, such as international education, tourism, the Indigenous economy, tech startups, the green economy, and creative and digital services.”

The Future Asia Business Summit will include presentations, case studies and panel discussions from local and international business and industry leaders, including Bernard Salt and:

Alan Chan – chairman of the Land Transport Authority in Singapore.

Bonnie Shek – director of the Australia & New Zealand Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

Doctor Marlene Kanga AM – non-executive director of Asialink Business, president of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, advisor of Innovation and Science Australia, director of iOmniscient, and board member of BESydney.

Elena Kirillova – state directorNSW/ACT at the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade).

Simon Henry* – entrepreneur and co-founder of China startup, UWAI.com.

*Shanghai-based Australian entrepreneur Simon Henry will share his insights on tailoring businesses to tap into the billion dollar Chinese tourism industry.

“International tourism is the greatest opportunity for the Australian economy, jobs and security since the mining boom,” Henry said.

“Chinese tourists spend more than three times that of local customers and have a larger discretionary budget for food and beverage, accommodation and retail than other consumers, yet it’s hard for local businesses to engage this segment.

“Our approach is not how can we make money from the Chinese market, rather, how can we help create relationships and trust between people who don’t speak the same language?”

The Future Asia Business Summit will be held Tuesday 29 May, 10:30am to 1:30pm, Sydney Town Hall.

Cost is free, but attendance is by invitation only.