Austrade is inviting Australian exporters seeking to broaden their market into Japan to join one of its five trade missions that run in conjunction with the World Expo at Aichi, Japan.

World Expo has attracted participation from a record 127 countries. Australia will participate in this major international event through a dynamic and sophisticated Australian pavilion that will showcase Australia’s industry, culture and natural environment to our largest trading partner, Japan.

It is expected the Australian pavilion will be one of the most popular for the 15 million people expected to visit Expo over the six months from 25 March to 25 September.

Austrade is leading five business missions covering five industries with significant growth prospects in the Japanese market. The missions are Automotive (taking place from 21-28 April); Food (30 May-3 June); Information & Communications Technologies (19-25 June); Environmental Technology and Services (18-22 July); and Biotechnology (4-10 September).

Japan has been Australia’s largest export market for 35 years and accounts for $22 billion, or 19 per cent, of Australia’s total merchandising exports – exceeding the combined value of our exports to both the USA and China, according to Austrade’s Tokyo-based Senior Trade Commissioner, Phil Ingram.

Mr Ingram said the Japanese system has undergone fundamental changes, which has been having a positive impact on the demand for a wider range of Australian goods and services.

“Structural reforms have opened up the Japanese economy, allowing new sources of entrepreneurship based on direct sourcing from overseas to flourish,” he said.

“The tremendous size of the Japanese economy and its regional markets with their well educated, well travelled, highly sophisticated consumers, will always present new opportunities for Australian exporters.”

The trade missions aim to develop new areas of trade and build on traditional strengths. Austrade Japan will arrange business matching and tailored visit programs for companies. It is expected that most participants will visit major centres, including Tokyo and Osaka, as well as Nagoya, the host city of the Aichi World Expo.

In recognition of the importance of this event and of Japan to Australian exporters; companies participating in any of the Expo business missions will be eligible for a reduction of 50 per cent on Austrade’s standard service fees.

Applications to join a mission are sought from Australian companies keen to develop their business in Japan.

MEDIA CONTACT: Caroline James, Austrade Tel: +61 2 9390 2319