ACBC QLD – Member Only Networking & Opportunities in Southwest China

ACBC QLD invites members to join us for an Exclusive Member Networking and China Insights event, where we will hear from the Australian Consul-General in Chengdu, Adelle Neary, who will join us online to provide her insights on China’s fast growing southwest provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou, and the municipality of Chongqing.

Ms Adelle Neary

Consul-General in Chengdu, China

Ms Neary is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She has previously served overseas in Vientiane and Jakarta. In Canberra she has undertaken high profile work associated with the MH17 flight disaster as well as contributing to the work of the Foreign Policy White Paper Taskforce. She also served as an Adviser, International Division, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Ms Neary speaks Mandarin and holds a Bachelor of International Studies; a Bachelor of Laws (Honours); and a Bachelor of Science (Jurisprudence) from the University of Adelaide; and, a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the College of Law (NSW).

The Southwest of China offers a range of opportunities for Australian business. Chengdu and Chongqing are new Chinese first tier cities – with GDP growth exceeding China’s national GDP growth last year – and are powered by a middle class that know how to spend. Residents of both cities typically spend more of their income per capita on consumer products and services than residents in other tier one cities, with both cities ranking in the top six cities nationally for absolute consumption. This consumer spending power presents ongoing opportunities for Australian businesses in select premium food and beverage products, functional foods, complementary medicines, education, and when borders reopen, tourism.

Rapid growth in the Southwest has also sped up urbanisation which has been a source of opportunity for Australian design firms. Australian companies have won a range of tenders for landmark projects.

As home to one of China’s top three hospitals, a skilled health workforce, and a range of leading bio industry parks, the Southwest also offers opportunities for the healthcare sector, particularly in the areas of biotech and medtech production, aged care, primary care and allied health training, and investment in Australia for clinical trials.

In the current challenging circumstances of COVID and trade tensions, hear directly from Australia’s Consul-General in Chengdu as she joins us online to discuss both the opportunities and challenges for Australian companies in Southwest China.