Seminar to assist Kimberley businesses to benefit from North Asia FTAs

ASSISTANT  Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Keith Pitt will host a seminar in Kununurra on Monday February 20 to help local businesses make the most of Australia’s free trade agreements (FTAs) with Korea, Japan and China.

Local business people are being invited to the free information seminar at the Kununurra Country Club Resort, 47 Coolibah Drive, Kununurra, from 7am to 10am.

Attendees will get the opportunity to hear directly from Australian Government representatives about how FTAs can help them succeed in international markets, and special guest speaker Jim Engelke, General Manager for Kimberley Agricultural Investment (KAI), will share his experience in exporting under the North Asia FTAs.

KAI employs about 70 people in Kununurra and produces grains such as chia, sorghum, corn and quinoa for the Chinese market.

“The Australian Government has secured unprecedented access to more than a billion potential customers for Australian goods and services through our free-trade agreements with Korea, Japan and China,” Mr Pitt said.

“Our North Asia FTAs give Australian exporters a competitive edge in these key markets, boosting opportunities for more sales abroad and more jobs here in Australia. They also lay the foundation for stronger flows of two-way investment.

“I strongly encourage small and medium-business owners in the Kimberley region to attend this FTA seminar and hear first-hand how they can make the most of these landmark agreements.

“The Australian Government is determined to support exporters in regional Australia through these important seminars.”

Attendees can register for the free FTA seminar, which is relevant to all industries, at http://www.austrade.gov.au/ftaseminars or find out more by contacting Austrade (13 28 78 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

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