Savvy entrepreneurs help women to find business success in lucrative Asian markets

AUSTRALIAN businesswomen creating new business opportunities in Asian markets will be able to learn from the success stories of other women entrepreneurs through a national speaker series this month.

Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb said the Women in Global Business ANZ Speaker Series for 2013 will be held until October 25 in all capital cities around the country.

Mr Robb said businesses owned and operated by women represent one of the fastest growing business segments in Australia.

"The Women in Global Business initiative supports businesswomen to successfully take their products and services to the world." Mr Robb said.

"This series will highlight the benefits of doing business in Asia, and will also explore how export challenges faced by women, such as resource limitations and access to qualified market intelligence, can be overcome.

"The unique perspective provided by the speakers will be extremely valuable for women engaging in or planning to engage in business in Asia," Mr Robb said.

The 2013 series program will feature keynote speakers including

• Julie-Anne Nichols, Austrade's Senior Trade Commissioner in Guangzhou, China.
• Liming Jia, executive general manager for Songtsam Lodges in the Yunnan Province of China.
• Astrid Vasile, chair of the Australian Indonesian Businesswomen and Professionals Network.
• Tania Motton, general manager for Regional Business Banking in Australia with the ANZ bank.
• Cathryn Carver, managing director of Institutional Australia, ANZ.

The series is the flagship event of the Women in Global Business program, Mr Robb said, which this year is partnering with ANZ.

The Women in Global Business program is an initiative of the Australian Government, through its export, investment and education promotion agency Austrade, with support from State and Territory Governments.

Mr Robb said the initiative aims to inspire and support Australian businesswomen in their endeavours to export goods and services.

Keynote speakers at the events are:

Jia Liming  - Executive General Manager, Songtsam Lodges, Yunnan Province China.

Ms Jia was a founding member of Wild China, an award winning travel enterprise. She has designed travel products ever since, covering multiple destinations and pioneering active and high-end travel in China. Ms Liming has expanded the Songtsam Lodges business to five lodges, catering to high-end Chinese and foreign travellers, gaining international acknowledgement for this local independent brand.

Astrid Vasile - Chair, Australian Indonesian Businesswomen and Professionals Network

 

Commencing in the aviation industry in Indonesia and later forming her own company Ms Vasile moved to Australia in 1998 joining a building and construction company. Today she is one of only 12 female certified registered builders in the construction industry. In 2010 she founded the Australian Indonesian businesswomen's and professionals network to promote bilateral relations and foster female economic empowerment. Ms Vasile was named a WA Business Partner of the Year in 2009, and Australian Business Partner of the Year Finalist in 2010.

Tania Motton - General Manager Regional Business Banking, Australia, ANZ

Ms Motton has worked for ANZ for 11 years. In her current role she is responsible for a business spanning 29 regions across Australia, supporting, commercial and agribusiness customers. Tania has varied experience across a broad range of industries including banking and finance, consulting and the resources sector. In one of her previous roles she was chief of staff to ANZ CEO Mike Smith. Ms Motton has lived and worked in Sydney, Perth, Thailand, Japan and the US.

Cathryn Carver - Managing Director, Institutional Australia, ANZ

Ms Carver began her career at ANZ as Head of Corporate Finance in 2005 before moving into Global Markets in 2008 as the global head of Capital Markets, relocating to Hong Kong in October 2010. Currently she is responsible for delivery of all ANZ's products and services to the largest corporate and financial institutions in Australia, working in partnership with regional teams across the globe, global product units and key enablement partners.

Julie-Anne Nichols - Senior Trade Commissioner, Austrade Guangzhou, China

Over the past decade Julie-Anne Nichols career has focussed on international trade promotion and facilitation, working for State and Federal-level Australian government agencies, including management roles for major events during the Beijing Olympics and the Shanghai World Expo. Prior to joining the public service, Ms Nichols worked in consultancy and business development roles in Australia, China and Indonesia for Australian and international-based companies.

For more information on the Speaker Series or the program, visit www.wigb.gov.au/events

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