Victorian companies have been given a launch pad into Asia after meeting with 100 Chinese business representatives and investors under the Victorian government's 2013 Super Trade Mission to China.
The program, which comprised tours of Beijing, Shanghai and Nanjing, resulted in several Australian IT companies landing business in the Chinese market – and the prospective of one company opening an Asian office.
Melbourne-based IT solutions provider Fabric Group established a Chinese distribution contact for e-books hosted on JB Hi-Fi's Now platform.
Victoria's minister for innovation, services and small business, Louise Asher, said the distribution agreement would help the Port Melbourne firm grow. "Fabric Group expects to experience significant growth over the next 12 months resulting in increased exports for Victoria and more jobs."
Another IT company, CPT Global, saved a Chinese bank millions and has now entered into discussions with three other banks.
The Melbourne-founded company, which turned over $35 million last year, will now expand into Asia following its work with one of China's largest rural credit unions, managing director Gerry Tuddenham told CRN.
"We're branching into the Chinese market. What we tend to do is get one or two clients and then we'll open up an office. We're talking to three other banks there. We've then got to make a decision if we incorporate in mainland China or in Hong Kong."
Tuddenham praised the government program, which offered subsidies of up to $3,000. "It is a great initiative that the government is doing. You couldn't go on a mission like that and meet the quality of people without the government's help.
"We now have government representatives from China coming to Australia because they are interested to meet with us and learn more about companies that are working in the market over there to build a stronger partnership."
Advanced Vision Technology was another IT company to benefit from the Super Trade Mission 2013.
The Melbourne-based company deployed Blue Reef technology as part of the security and networking project for Nanjing International School.
The deployment will allow students, teachers and parents to access the school's network safely and securely across laptops, smartphones and tablets.
-1.jpg&w=100&c=1&s=0)
.png&w=100&c=1&s=0)
