The China Guangdong-Australia Business Conference 2005 will be held in Sydney, Australia on November 8,2005. Hosted by the People¡¯s Government of Guangdong Province, the Conference aims to expand the scope of exchanges and collaboration in investment, trade and related services, as well as to promote friendship among the business and financial communities in Guangdong and the South Pacific, especially Australia.

The Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, Guangdong Province is the organizer of the one-day Conference. There will be 1,000 attendees to the Conference is. The Conference represents the following:
(1). Promotion. The key leader of Guangdong Province will promote the main fields for cooperation, commercial opportunities and the more and more sound investment environment in Guangdong. The representative of the Australia-invested enterprise in Guangdong will share his experience of investment in Guangdong.
(2). Investment Promotion and Trade. During the Conference, the Guangdong Province will present 150 major projects for business co-operation, ranging from information technology, infrastructure, agriculture, chemistry to environmental and logistics industries, and a wide range of investment projects. In addition, over 1,000 projects for investment and trade will also be presented by individual cities.
(3). Contract signing ceremony for major projects.
(4). Industry-specific meeting sessions and investment consultation service.
The main leaders of Guangdong province, its cities and departments administrating economy, together with CEOs of Guangdong¡¯s key enterprises will attend the conference.

Guangdong is located in the southernmost part of China¡¯s Mainland. It has always been an important window for China¡¯s foreign trade as well as the starting point of the world-famous ¡°Silk Road on the Sea¡±. With its sustained and rapid economic development since the opening of China¡¯s Mainland, Guangdong has become the leading province in terms of economic capacity and external trade and the most attractive destination for investment in China. In 2004, Guangdong realised a GDP of US$ 194 billion, representing an increase of 14.2% over 2003, accounting for about one-ninth of China¡¯s national total. The total volume of retail sales of consumer goods amounted to US$ 77 billion, accounting for one-ninth of the national total. The total input of FDI amounted to US$ 10 billion (representing one-sixth of the national total), while the import and export value amounted to US$ 357.1 billion (accounting for one-third of the national total). Guangdong is one of the key manufacturing bases in China, with massive market potential, comprehensive infrastructure and advanced transportation and communication networks. At present, there are 141 ports in the province which are open to international shipping to over 1,100 ports in more than 130 countries and regions. The new Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, which is one of the three air hubs of China, is located in Guangdong. While continuously improving its infrastructure, Guangdong is also endeavouring to provide an investment environment with efficient services and low costs for overseas investors to run business as well as a sound legal framework to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests. With its integrated competitive edge, Guangdong is now one of the most economically dynamic regions in the Mainland.

Guangdong has all along been attaching much importance to promoting economic and trade links with Australia. In recent years, with the concerted efforts of the parties concerned, business exchanges and co-operation between the two places have increased. In 2004, the import and export value between Guangdong and Australia amounted to US$ 4.58 billion, representing an increase of 35.8% over 2003, accounting for 22.5% of the volume of trade between China and Australia. As at end of 2004, the cumulative contracted value of foreign direct investment from Australia amounted to US$ 920 million, while the actual input of FDI from Australia amounted to US$ 480 million. Many leading Australian enterprises such as CS China Investment Pty Ltd, Australia HSBC (Investment) Co. Ltd, Bluescope are doing thriving business in Guangdong.
This conference provides a sound platform for fostering communication and cooperation between the business circles of Guangdong and Australia. We hope, through this Conference, Guangdong and Australia will be working hand in hand and for the purpose of mutual prosperity.

Date of the Conference: November 8, 2005.
Venue: Sydney, Australia

Contacts of Guangdong:

Mr. Xiu Wen: Tel: 86-20-38819377, Fax: 38819393
Email: xiuwen9543@21cn.com

Ms. Wen Liming: Tel: 86-20-38819395, Fax: 38819393
Email: warmth_ming@hotmail.com