Business News

Thu Oct 1

Federal Minister for Small Business launches new Asia business tool

Written by Heather Chai

1 OCTOBER 2015

Minister for Small Business launches new tool to help Australian business optimise free trade agreements and Asia growth opportunities

(Melbourne, 1 October, 2015) The Federal Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Small Business, the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP, encouraged more Australian businesses to tap into growth opportunities in Asia by making use of a new and innovative tool developed by Asialink Business, at a business forum in Melbourne today.

Minister O’Dwyer, herself an Asialink Leaders Program alumni, launched the Asialink Business Country Starter Packs, a comprehensive and highly accessible ‘how-to’ guide that empowers businesses of all sizes to get started or expand in Asia.

“The Coalition Government recognises that many Australian businesses are actively seeking help to overcome challenges they face to do business in Asia. I am confident that the Asialink Business Country Starter Packs will be a valuable tool for small businesses looking to engage with Asia,” Ms O’Dwyer said.

“The Country Starter Packs for China, Indonesia, Korea and Thailand are the first in a suite of guides that give businesses the keys to unlock opportunities in the fastest growing markets in our region,” Asialink Business CEO Mukund Narayanamurti said.

“They feature practical case studies, up-to-date market insights and first-hand examples to assist businesses in all sectors of the economy. The Packs provide a roadmap to navigate Asia’s diverse commercial environments, and highlight opportunities in specific sectors, markets and economies,” Narayanamurti said.

Developed with support from the Commonwealth Government, the Country Starter Packs are available in hard and soft copy formats and as a shareable app.

“Around Australia, businesses of all sizes told us they recognise the potential in Asia, and are optimistic about the doors opened by the China - Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) and other FTAs - but they want a practical tool to help translate these opportunities into reality,” Narayanamurti said.

“China is the world’s biggest dairy import market and a key target for the Australian dairy industry with the significant growth potential it provides. The China FTA is a platform to enable this growth and for Australian agriculture to take advantage of the consumer market opportunities it presents,” Devondale Murray Goulburn Managing Director, Gary Helou, said speaking at the Country Starter Pack launch.

A 2014 survey by Asialink Business supported by the Business Council of Australia and the Australian Industry Group identified a lack of readily available, practical information on Asian markets as a key factor holding back many Australian businesses.

“The Country Starter Packs fill the critical information gap that business identified as their biggest hurdle,” Narayanamurti said.

“The ChAFTA, which we hope to see ratified soon, has increased the urgency for Australian business to do its homework and get prepared. This agreement, combined with other FTAs and the growing appetite of Asia’s middle classes, has created an unprecedented window for Australia to grow, create jobs and diversify its economy,” Narayanamurti said.

“It is critical that business act purposefully to take up these opportunities and the Country Starter Packs are an essential first step in helping all Australian organisations be better prepared to engage with China and other Asian markets,” Naryanamurti said.

The country starter packs are available at: http://asialink.unimelb.edu.au/csp. Asialink Business is the National Centre for Asia Capability. We work to build an Asia capable Australian workforce and support businesses in all sectors to develop the critical skills, knowledge and networks needed to better understand and engage with Asia.

Mon Sep 21

Glenfiddich announces winner of Artists in Residence Competition

Written by Teresa Lane

JoanRoss and Glenfiddich is proud to announce dual Blackheath and Bondi resident Joan Ross as the winner of the inaugural Australian Glenfiddich Artists in Residence Competition.

Opened to Australian residents for the first time, the Glenfiddich Artists in Residence Competition invited artists to enter their work, using any array of mediums which include, but are not limited to print, photography, animation, performance and installation.

The judging panel lead by Glenfiddich Artists in Residence Curator Andy Fairgrieve and including the Sydney Contemporary International Art Fair Advisory Council, made up by Australian actress Rachel Griffiths, former Lord Mayor Lucy Turnbull AO, Sue Kato, Mark Hughes, Nick Tobias, Dr Gene Sherman and Evan Williams.

The judges were so impressed by the calibre of the entries they selected seven finalists instead of the originally planned five. The final seven included Joan Ross, Cameron Robbins, Marc Standing, Luke Storrier, Liam Benson, Deb Mansfield and Troy Emery.

Joan was chosen as the winner as her body of work not only demonstrates her technique and skill as an artist through her hand painted prints and digital animations, but each of her works tells a unique story about Australian colonisation. Her use of Hi Vis Fluro is a feature throughout her work which is something she noticed an influx of after 9/11, and it is according to Joan “alien to the landscape and a metaphor for colonisation.”

“Given the incredible standard and quality of the seven finalists, it was never going to be an easy task to choose just one to join our residency program next summer at distillery, however I feel we have an outstanding artist and personality with Joan,” said Glenfiddich Artists in Residence Curator Andy Fairgrieve.

“Her carefully composed works in both print and video are not only visually stunning but deeply thought provoking. Given her artistic concerns surrounding appropriation of land through colonialism and the environmental issues she subtly addresses, I know she will find a rich vein of source material to inform new works once she sets foot on Scottish soil next summer. I look forward to welcoming her to the Glenfiddich Distillery next year.”

Since the Glenfiddich Artists in Residence Contest began in 2002, Andy has mentored over 100 artists through the distillery doors, each one of them always seeing the distillery with a unique view.

The residency will take place in 2016 where Joan will have the opportunity to live and work for three months at the Glenfiddich distillery in Dufftown, Scotland alongside artists from Scotland, India, China Taiwan, Canada and Korea.

Born in Glasgow, and growing up in Australia, Joan is influenced by the landscape and its connections. Her current work is based on British colonistation and first contact in Australia and the ongoing effect of this on Indigenous Australians. Joan hopes to keep this conversation open with her video animations based on early colonial paintings.

“I am very excited; the Glenfiddich Artists in Residence program is such a great opportunity. I’m really looking forward to getting back to and reconnecting with my roots and discovering more about my heritage along with the chance to explore the Highlands. I have only been back once and was overwhelmed by the beauty of the landscape,” said Joan Ross.

“Being in a completely different environment and living and working in the distillery space will enable me to not only get stuck into my work but also provide me with a totally different source of inspiration.”

Joan’s love of nature and attraction to land and landscapes is predominant in her work. This and her connection to Scotland are the main reasons applied for the Glenfiddich Artists in Residence Competition.

“I felt so welcomed by all the Glenfiddich team; everyone was so warm and friendly. Meeting Andy was the best, he was so keen and enthusiastic and I had a really great time hanging out with him.

“He really inspired me, and was very supportive of my ideas. I was particularly taken with his knowledge and interest in the politics of the highlands and I am very excited about learning more,” said Joan.

For more information visit http://www.glenfiddich.com/ or http://www.williamgrant.com/

For further information on Joan’s work visit Michael Reid Gallery or http://www.joanross.com.au/

William Grant & Sons, Ltd. is an independent distiller founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the luxury spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, The Balvenie® range of handcrafted single malts and the world’s third largest blended Scotch Grant’s® as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick’s® Gin and Sailor Jerry®.