AUSTRALIA'S Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop will promote the timely conclusion of two Free Trade Agreements during a visit to Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong until October 20 - and explore new areas for strategic and economic cooperation with between the governments.

Ms Bishop and her team will also meet business leaders, students, alumni and academics in the region to explore how young Australians will be able to capitalise on the study and internship opportunities to be offered under the New Colombo Plan.

In Japan, Ms Bishop will discuss with Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and members of the Diet how Australia can build on existing ties and enhance Australia-Japan cooperation in regional and global forums.

"Our longstanding close partnership with Japan is underpinned by shared values and common interests - a commitment to democracy and the rule of law, and to continued regional stability and prosperity," Ms Bishop said.

In South Korea, Ms Bishop will meet Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, Trade Minister Yoon Sang-jick and other Cabinet members.

"South Korea is a key strategic partner in Asia, a colleague on the United Nations Security Council and our third-largest export market," Ms Bishop said.

Ms Bishop will become the first Australian Foreign Minister to address a major international forum on cyberspace when she attends the Seoul Cyberspace Conference today (October 17).

She will join ministers from around 30 countries, as well as business and civil society leaders to discuss cyber security issues and the impact of the internet on economic growth and development.

Ms Bishop will visit Hong Kong, reinforcing its importance as an economic partner and as a leading regional base for Australian business. In Hong Kong, Ms Bishop will meet Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Gregory So.

Planning is also underway for Ms Bishop's first official trip to China which is to take place this year.

http://www.dfat.gov.au/

ends

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.

Julie-Anne Nichols.

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

Astrid Vasile.

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

ends

BUSINESS leaders from Australia and the Asia-Pacific region will gather in Canberra on Thursday (June 27) to focus on the future Australian and global security agenda -- especially water and food security.

Water provision and security may be a future regional flashpoint warns business forum.

The forum is concerned that, with Prime Minister Julia Gillard's impending visit to Indonesia in two weeks, Australian foreign relations spends more effort on transient issues than long-term 'game changers' that raise security risks, such as the water issues affecting the region.

Molly Harriss Olson, convener of the National Business Leaders Forum on Sustainable Development (NBLF) said the 2012 US Intelligence Assessment on Global Water Security, initiated by former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, concluded that several regions of the world such as the Indonesian archipelago, will face major challenges coping with water problems.

The report predicts that, during the next 10 years, many countries, including Indonesia, will experience water problems that will increase the risk of instability and state failure and exacerbate regional tensions significantly. Current trends to avoid water problems are further undermining national security, according to the report.

Ms Harriss Olson was the founding executive director of US President Bill Clinton's Council on Sustainable Development.

"The Federal Government has become very good at sticking plasters over problems, the Indonesian asylum situation is an example," Ms Harriss Olson said.

"What needs to be addressed is the situation in the country and one of the major concerns at this time is water security.

"Food and water security is a central global challenge that needs to be addressed urgently," Ms Harriss Olson warned.

She said since its beginning in 1998, the National Business Leaders Forum on Sustainable Development has pioneered leadership in sustainable business in Australia. The forum is set up as a not for profit organisation and its stated aim is to be the pre-eminent event on the Australian corporate calendar on these issues.

Molly Harriss Olson.

Ms Harriss Olson said NBLF provides a vibrant platform to profile exceptional business leadership and has created a network of excellence and innovation for sustainable development in business. The forum provides corporate executives with the opportunity to engage with leaders from business, government, science and academia, about important emerging sustainability opportunities and how their companies can benefit from these innovative business practices.

Ms Harriss Olson said NBLF has often been the first to break through old paradigms by engaging with influential thinkers including former US Vice President Al Gore (2003); Ray Anderson, CEO of Interface (1998); Paul Hawken, author of The Ecology of Commerce (2000) and Kevin Rudd during his term as Prime Minister (2008).

In 2009, the executive director of the United Nations Global Compact, Georg Kell, said of the forum, “It is the most senior group of business and civic leaders reflecting more deeply on the critical issues of our time.”

The NBLF steering committee is: Forum chair, Rod Leaver of Asia Lend Lease; forum convenor Molly Harriss Olson of EcoFutures; Mara Bun, Green Cross Australia; Peter Carre, Water Resources Group; Simon Corbell, ACT Minister; Michael Costello, ActewAGL; Tim Costello, World Vision Australia; John Hewson, Global DC; Andrew Johnson, CSIRO; Simon Longstaff, St James Ethics Centre; Kim McKay, Momentum2; Sam Mostyn, Virgin Australia; forum chair emeritus, Martyn Myer; Michael Smith, Australian National University; John Thwaites, ClimateWorks Australia; Phillip Toyne, EcoFutures; Tim Williams, Westpac; Les Williamson, CISCO Systems.

The forum will be held at Parliament House, Canberra.

www.nblf.com.au

ends