What's exporting where, and how to get involved…
The U.S. Music Market
Current technology means it’s never been easier for Australian artists to enter the US market, according to Austrade.
The increase in digital tools, such as social networking site MySpace and video-sharing site YouTube, has meant there’s been a large influx of Australian artists into the US music market. Power in the music industry is no longer just centred on major label groups, says Tony George, manager of Austrade’s Australian Music Office in Los Angeles. "The digital age is allowing Australian artists to build a story about themselves and get their music out there before they arrive in the US boosting their profile and helping them to develop vital relationships with the industry and fans."
George says Australian artists are now developing a wider view of the music industry and "realising that a career in music these days is multi-faceted and includes a number of distinct revenue streams."
This comes on the heels of news that six Queensland bands have just signed a deal with UK label MSR Music.
Queensland premier, and minister for trade, Peter Beattie, announced the six bands—Transport, Brindle, Dr Octopus, Intercooler, Giants of Science and Mary Trembles—signed licensing agreements after impressing the label’s managing director John Hemming at last year’s QMusic Big Sound Music Conference and Showcase in Brisbane.
With US magazine Billboard naming Brisbane as one of five cities "spawning exciting new sounds" Beattie says the music industry in the state is helping to lift Queensland’s profile around the globe, with creative industries in the state contributing over $1 billion in exports to the Queensland economy.
International Flight Requirements
Exporters heading to international markets should be aware of new rules concerning taking liquids, aerosols and gels onboard flights.
The new rules, which only apply to international flights, stipulate that every container of liquids, aerosols or gels must be sealed in a transparent one-litre plastic bag.
The rules were launched to protect airline passengers from the threat of a terrorist attack using liquid explosives, says Mark Vaile, Deputy Prime Minister and minister for transport and regional services. Plastic bags will be available at airports, but the government is urging passengers to pack relevant items in a see through, resealable bag before arriving at the airport, to reduce delays at check-in.
Larger items such as perfume and cosmetics are still allowed in check-in baggage, and prescription medicines and baby products needed for the flight are also allowed.
Vaile says anyone travelling overseas should discuss the new rules with their airline or travel agent, visit www.dotars.gov.au/aviation or call the dedicated hotline 1300 791 581.
2007 Australian Awards
Applications are now open for the 2007 Australian Export Awards.
As always, each state or territory will run their own awards program, with all winners eligible for the national awards which will be held on November 22 in Brisbane.
Celebrating their 45th birthday this year, the awards are designed to acknowledge the contribution of Australia’s top exporters to Australia’s economy, and to raise the profile of those who are achieving success in export, and promote them as role models to inspire other Australian businesses. Past winners have included The Wiggles, aussieBum, BridgeClimb and Casella Wines.
For all details regarding each state or territory’s awards visit www.exportawards.gov.au
Boost Juice in the UK
Boost Juice has just opened its first store in the United Kingdom.
The new store has opened in Manchester’s Trafford Centre, with other stores scheduled to open in Oxford and Nottingham.
Founder Janine Allis says the company has long received requests from Australians living and working abroad to open Boost Juice stores in the UK. The new stores will operate on a master franchise agreement backed by the creators of the successful Millie’s Cookies concept, who plan on implementing an aggressive growth strategy for the juice chain throughout the UK.
With almost 200 stores in Australia, Boost Juice already operates in Chile, Indonesia, Kuwait and Singapore. Markets on the agenda for the future include South Africa, Portugal and Hong Kong.
"We are unashamed in our desire to take our brand globally and be recognised the world over," says Allis.
Australian Food Campaign in UK Supermarkets
Some big names in Australian food and wine were recently featured as part of a special campaign at one of the largest UK supermarket chains.
The ‘Taste The Sunshine’ campaign featured Tim Tams, Darrell Lea, Brown Brothers and Hardy’s as part of a push to buy Australian at the Sainsbury’s chain of 200 stores throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
The National Food Industry Strategy (NFIS) led the promotion, with support from Austrade and Tourism Australia.
Advertisements in consumer magazines, a radio competition, and a 12-page booklet about Australian food, wine and tourism was inserted into Sainsbury’s monthly magazine all contributed to promoting the campaign.
Dr Susan Nelle, managing director of the NFIS, says the collaborative nature of the project allowed participating companies to quickly learn about the UK market dynamics, leaving them better placed to make decisions on pursuing their own market entry strategies for the UK market.
"In the past, even large Australian companies have experienced trouble gaining shelf space at Sainsbury’s on their own. This shows that Australian companies have a much greater impact when they work together."
Wine Facts
788 million—the record volume of Australia’s wine exports in the year ending March 2007, with total value of $2.91 billion, another record.
Source: Wine Export Approval Report by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation
"The décor and food will reflect the best of Australia such as our beautiful sunsets and wave-like curves in the ceiling and dining room—it will not be a tacky Australian themed restaurant though—it will be classy yet not formal."
—Australian chef Luke Mangan on the opening of his new flagship Salt restaurant in Japan
IT Opportunities for London Olympics
Austrade is on the look out for any exporters interested in getting involved in the London Olympics in 2012.
Suppliers of IT applications are being sought for several areas. Austrade has already begun initial contacts within the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games as well as Atos Origin, the technology partner for the games, according to Colin Biggs, senior business development manager for Austrade in London.
Austrade are particularly looking for applications with specific relevance and proven experience with major event management. Wider opportunities also exist in venue design and construction, event management, transport, security and training. Any interested companies should email colin.biggs@austrade.gov.au or Garry Mahlberg, Austrade’s Sydney-based sport and olympics adviser at garry.mahlberg@austrade.gov.au
Book review
The Writing on the Wall: China and the West in the 21st Century
By Will Hutton
With China tipped to become the second largest economy within a decade, UK author (and former editor in chief of the Observer) Will Hutton discusses the probability of the country grabbing the baton of global leadership as the new superpower of the 21st century. However, it’s not necessaril
y all good news, and Hutton sees some major instability in the market, particularly due to its mix of communist party system and part-capitalist economy. Hutton believes the solution for China lies in taking note of Western practices, with Western leaders having a huge role to play. This book offers a useful insight into the bigger picture of one of Australia’s largest export markets
Publisher: Little, Brown
RRP: $35
Better Access to China
A new website has been launched to help facilitate trade between Australian businesses and China.
The site has been launched to showcase the services of China Trade Gateway (www.chinatradegateway.com), an Australian company providing access to trade experts and other resources for those looking for business success in China.
The company offers a range of advice to businesses, covering areas such as manufacturing, distributing, recruiting and setting up joint ventures. It can also help businesses with services such as translation solutions, cross cultural programs, factory building and fit out and market planning and strategy.
Managing director Damian Geleyns says he hopes the new site will draw on the partnerships and expertise the company has in the Chinese sector. "The new website will not be a static site and will evolve as a communication conduit and an information resource and in response to the requirements of our clients and other executives and businesses with a Chinese business agenda."
Fast Fact
In 1957 Australia’s total trade in coal to Japan was worth $69,000. In 2007, it is over $7 billion.
Source: Minister for Trade Warren Truss, in a speech to the Australian Institute of Export in March this year.
Tasmanian Exports
Tasmanian exports have hit a new high, according to new statistics.
In the year to February 2007, Tasmanian merchandise exports grew by 28 percent to a record $3.52 billion, according to new figures by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, nearly double the national rate of 15.9 percent, says Michael Aird, Tasmania’s treasurer
"Basically, since the Australian economy became more internationalised, the majority of our exporters don’t let fluctuations in exchange rates ruin their business plans."—Austrade’s chief economist Tim Harcourt on the recent highs attained by the Aussie dollar.
The Macau Market
Australian exporters shouldn’t underestimate the Macau market, according to Austrade.
They’re dubbing it "Asia’s Las Vegas", and say there are plenty of opportunities in the market, with Australian exports to Macau increasing by almost 30 percent since 2002.
"Australia’s exports to Macau have been on the increase due to the massive inflow of US and Australian capital investment in new Las Vegas style developments which has occurred since the liberalisation of the casino industry in 2002," says Austrade chief economist Tim Harcourt.
As well as gaming and entertainment, Macau’s development of its international convention and exhibitions business is creating a strong demand for Australian products and services. "Particularly in the building and construction, food and beverages, gaming and related technologies, and education and training services sectors."
Mark Wood, Austrade’s senior trade commissioner in Hong Kong says an increase in hotel capacity means there will be around 20,000 new rooms over the next five years.
This means plenty of opportunity for Australian exporters, provided they take heed of key considerations in their export strategy, he says. "Consistent quality, reliable supply and adherence to food safety requirements are of paramount importance," he says.
Austrade will be running a "Building with Australia" trade mission to Hong Kong and Macau in October. For more information contact Austrade on 132 878.
New Free Trade Agreement
A new study has commenced looking at the potential of an Australian-Korea free trade agreement.
Warren Truss, federal minister for trade, has announced that ITS Global, a consultancy specialising in international trade will be the Australian participant in the study, which was announced by the Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and Prime Minister John Howard.
"The non-government study will cover all aspects of the bilateral economic and trading relationship, and will service in the first instance as the basis for discussions between official make recommendations to both governments on next steps," Truss says.
With the Republic of Korea Australia’s third-largest merchandise export market, and exports growing by more than 12 percent in 2006, this now means there is a free trade agreement (FTA) or related process underway with all of Australia’s biggest trading partners, Truss adds.
