Spotlight on Shandong

The immediate task in our project is to establish the best way to link the design sector with the Premier's trade mission to Shandong Province in May 2015.

In our early discussions with the AIA, it became clear that while increasing the sector's exposure to export activities is a good idea, it might be too early for many businesses to approach chinese markets with something tangible to sell.

David Homburg, current President of the AIA, is therefore joining the trade mission with the view to developing initial links with Shandong province that could serve the sector over the longer term.

We heard, repeatedly in our workshop for the 90 day project, that building business links with China required a five year commitment because business is very much based on strong relationships and you must take a long term view to building these.

Why Shandong? China is such a huge and rapidly growing market that any small market development could benefit South Australia enormously. As our sister province, initial links have already been created and our government's effort will always focus on Shandong. Officials from Shandong are expected to visit South Australia whenever they come to Australia.

You can find more information and market research on the Resources page.