FOOD TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND CHINESE PROVINCE

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South Australia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Fujian Provincial Government in the People’s Republic of China to open trade links and gateways for SA premium food and wine.

Picture: Exsodus, http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, and Minister for Tourism, Gail Gago, who witnessed the signing while in China, says the agreement will benefit South Australian food and wine producers by opening up access to China’s fast emerging middle-class market.

“This agreement is a big win for South Australia and our agribusiness sector. The MOU will improve the awareness of the quality and production integrity of South Australia’s premium food and wine to Chinese consumers,” Ms Gago said.

“China is already our largest export destination and will soon become the largest economy in the world.

“This MOU will help ensure that we not only make the most of China’s appetite for South Australian commodities but that we also grasp emerging business opportunities to sell high quality, high value South Australian goods and services to China’s fast growing middle classes.”

Adertisement

“Fujian Province has recognised South Australia’s competitive advantage of premium food and wine grown and produced in a clean and safe environment.

“This will open up access to localised markets in line with our production capacity and reinforces to officials in China that South Australia is ready for business.

“The Nanping Government in Fujian is investing considerable resources in a Food Safety and Hygiene Centre in Nanping City.

“This presents an opportunity for South Australia to facilitate export testing that meets official Australia/China trade access and certifications, and to assist with food safety and quality training.”

Minister Gago, together with Ian Nightingale, Chief Executive of Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA), have signed the agreement with the Minister for Fujian Provincial Department for Agriculture, in south-east China.

While in China, the Minister and Mr Nightingale also met with a number of officials and government owned companies to discuss further opportunities for South Australia.

The MOU has been put in place initially for two years. It is the second MOU South Australia has signed with China in recent months. The first, in June 2012, established a regular consultation forum between the Chinese Embassy in Australia and the South Australian Government.

News Release

http://www.premier.sa.gov.au