Australian Institute of Export - Thursday, November 17, 2011
Australian-made Men’s Spa brand ‘VitaMan’, has just scoped two of the Spa world’s most prestigious Spa Awards at the annual ASIASPA AWARDS 2011 recently held in Hong Kong. Announced at the Invitation-only Gala Night Event, held at the The Mira Hotel in Hong Kong, VitaMan were voted Annual AsiaSpa Award Winners – collecting… “Men’s Spa Treatment of the Year” & “Men’s Product Line of the Year” Awards.
The Awards Ceremony was attended by the who’s who of the global Spa Industry and VitaMan beat an amazing field of heavyweight spa brands such as Pevonia, Phytomer, Thalgo, Clarins, Kiehls, & Murad.
Both Awards are well deserved recognition for the 13 years of hard effort & commitment the Co-founders of VitaMan have put into helping build, promote and encourage the global growth of the Male Spa Market, being the first Company to develop and offer male-specific Spa Treatments for men. The annual Spa Awards are voted upon by leading figures within the global Spa Industry and are seen as the respected recognition of the best Spa, Brands, Treatments, and Spa Personalities for the Asia Pacific Region. Countries involved include Australia, NZ, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Maldives, India and China. Special recognition must go to VitaMan’s China/Taiwan/Hong Distributor CLIM and their amazing Team who were instrumental in VitaMan’s success.
VitaMan is without doubt a recognised pioneer of men’s spa since launching in 1999, whereby today, they now are providing high end spas globally with over 20 Professional Treatment products and 6 Male-specific de-stressing and rejuvenating spa treatments. Additionally, they offer over 35 Retail take-home products covering Shave| Face| Anti-aging| Body| Hair |Travel and Lifestyle products. VitaMan is used & sold in some of the world’s most luxurious Hotel & Resort Spas in over 35 countries and is the official Men’s Spa Partner Brand for Hilton Hotels worldwide for their new spa concept: eforea-Spa at the Hilton.
VitaMan stands apart and above its competitors within the male spa market due to not just offering the most effective masculine and de-stressing Body Treatments, but also their accompanying comprehensive range of men’s daily shaving, skin, hair and anti-aging products, allowing spas worldwide to offer their male clients a ‘Total Spa & Grooming Solution’. From top to toe, VitaMan offers men of all ages natural unique & effective formulas that target their daily shave and skincare issues. VitaMan’s industry leading De-stressing Treatments leads the way to help men balance their stressful and hectic lifestyles. A result’s driven range, VitaMan is made utilising unique ancient Australian indigenous plant, fruit and herbal extracts.
VitaMan also omits known harmful chemicals and is free from artificial fragrances & colors, parabens, sulphates, TEA/DEA’s, Phthalates, Glycols, Lanolin, Ethanol and Mineral oil, while offering natural botanical aromas & masculine stylish packaging.
Australian Institute of Export - Thursday, November 17, 2011
If HS2012 was not an exciting enough start to 2012, it has now been announced that Indonesia has finally taken all steps to fully implement the AANZFTA with effect from 10 January 2012.
This will allow for full implementation of the AANZFTA by all contracting parties and will, hopefully, further enhance our trade with the region.
Doubtlessly this will start a mad scramble for appropriate Certificates of Origin and softwear upgrades for reporting Import and Export Declarations to claim preferential treatment for goods of Australian and Indonesian origin as provided for in the AANZFTA.
There will also be the usual move to schedule the transport of qualifying goods to ensure that they secure the full benefit of preferential access. There were issues on this for both the AUSFTA and the earlier stages of the AANZFTA.
As always we would be delighted to assist and time spent preparing in advance of the “go” date will be well rewarded.
Presumably, the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service will be issuing a Notice or Notices regarding this development.
I should also add that amendments to the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) came into force on 2 September 2011.
Australian Institute of Export - Thursday, November 17, 2011
Recent discussions on Australia’s Free Trade Agenda have come to include reference to the conclusion of the “Trans-PacificPartnership Agreement” (“TPP”).
The origins of the TPP can be found in the earlier Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (described as the “P4”) between Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore which entered into force in 2006.
Subsequently, the original “P4” parties together with Australia, Peru, the US, Vietnam and Malaysia have joined to consider the establishment of the TPP. The Australian Federal Government has publicly described the TPP as the Federal Government’s highest regional trade negotiating priority.
Wider international interest in the TPP has increased at the same time as an increase in interest from the United States which now perceives the TPP as a means to support and expand the US economy as well as the regional economy. Broader US support for trade liberalisation can be seen from the very recent Congressional approval for other US Free Trade Agreements which, while negotiated and completed some years ago, have only recently been passed by the US Congress with approval for implementation.
From an Australian perspective, it is hoped that the TPP would build on existing liberalisation through bilateral Free Trade Agreements (“FTA”) with New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and Chile as well as the regional FTA with the ASEAN nations. There is also a wider hope that the TPP could be a precursor to a broader APEC free trade zone.
The parties to the TPP have been engaged in extensive negotiation and prior to the current meeting of APEC leaders, the parties negotiating the TPP released a statement to the effect that they had agreed, in principle, to the content of the TPP.
The release identified a number of areas where agreement in principle had been reached to allow completion of the TPP. These included the following (in general):
Comprehensive market access (ie. reductions in tariffs and other non-tariff barriers).
Regional Agreement.
“Cross-cutting” trade issues (including regulatory coherence, competitiveness and business facilitation, SME assistance, customs clearance and economic development).
To assist new trade challenges.
That the TPP should be a “living” agreement.
These are all largely consistent to the outcomes of any FTA (whether bilateral or regional). This reference to SME assistance is welcome as small and medium sized businesses can often “miss out” on FTA benefits through lack of resources or complexity in implementation of the FTA.
It is also reported that Mexico, Japan and South Korea are being approached to join the TPP. However, at this stage, the PRC does not appear to be engaged and it has expressed concerns as to its apparent specific exclusion from negotiations. Clearly, there is significant merit in expanding the TPP to additional countries. However, there is always the fear that the broader the base for an agreement, the more difficult it would be to secure significant concessions from that broader group of countries.
While the spread of regional trade liberalisation is to be supported, the merits of any agreement would depend upon the precise terms of the TPP, any specific exceptions and the degree to which it represents an improvement on existing FTA. It also needs to be remembered that any agreement such as the TPP must first be finalised and agreed between negotiating countries and it then needs to be approved by and implemented in each of those negotiating countries. That can all take time and may lead to further compromises. Given the proposed timeframes (which suggests the TPP could be completed by the end of 2012), the TPP would also need to secure bilateral political support in all negotiating countries as future changes to the Governments of negotiating countries could have adverse outcomes for the completion and comprehensive adoption of the TPP.
To date, we have also yet to see any developments on the announcement of completion of an Australian FTA with Korea. Recent comments from the Federal Government suggested that an announcement of completion of an FTA with Korea would be made during the course of November. As always, we will keep you informed of developments and assist with the implementation of the TPP or any other FTA.
Contact:
Andrew Hudson, Melbourne +61 3 8602 9231 ahudson@hunthunt.com.au
Australian Institute of Export - Thursday, November 17, 2011
NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell has announced a formal agreement for NSW schools to provide high quality, professional training to schools in India.
Mr O’Farrell today visited the Holy Child Auxilium School in New Delhi where 90 local teachers and executive staff attended a training session conducted by NSW teachers from the Association of Independent Schools of NSW.
“I am delighted to witness the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding as a significant step towards a new two-way learning and development exchange between NSW and India,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“This initiative not only provides the best of the NSW education system to Indian schools, but also helps NSW teachers gain insights into different educational contexts and practices.
“A quality education forms the foundation of every country’s future prosperity – India and NSW both understand that and put great value on ensuring that our children have good schools and teachers.
“The provision of quality education is critically important for the continued development, growth and flexibility of any economy and for producing successful individuals who can contribute meaningfully to their society,” Mr O’Farrell said.
Mr O’Farrell presented the Holy Child Auxilium School with books from the Premier’s Reading Challenge – an important initiative to promote reading and improve literacy among students in NSW.
Under the MoUs, the Association(AISNSW) will provide training to five schools – Holy Child Auxilium School, Vibgyor High in Mumbai, the Suncity World School in Gugaon, the Samhita Academy in Bangalore and Saraswathi Vidyalaya in Trivandrum.
The AIS is a well established training provider, delivering education, training and leadership programs in NSW, Malaysia, Singapore and Papua-New Guinea.
The AIS is the peak body representing the independent schooling sector in NSW, advocating on behalf of more than 440 schools and 175,000 students in NSW.
Australian Institute of Export - Tuesday, November 15, 2011
NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell has praised the success of Sydney company Laservision in winning the contract to develop a large-scale multi-media attraction at a religious centre in south western India.
“Laservision beat strong global competition to win this $5.5 million export deal,” Mr O’Farrell said at a ceremony in Mumbai to bless the project at the shrine of Indian spiritual leader Shri Sai Baba at Shirdi, near Nasik in Maharashtra.
“The high tech spiritual theme park, which will be the first of its kind in India, will display the interactive teachings of the spiritual leader to the 20 million devotees who visit the shrine every year.
“For the multi-media presentation, Laservision will use a combination of aqua-screens, high-powered light-ray laser systems, high definition video projectors, surround sound and a variety of special effects – all of which will be synchronised and controlled by unique technology developed by the company.
“The research, development and creative work will be done at Laservision’s headquarters in Dural, where the show will be built, then dismantled and shipped to Shirdi for construction, commissioning and testing during the middle of next year.
Mr O’Farrell said Laservision’s success highlighted the strength of NSW’s ICT sector.
“ICT, which is an essential driver of our services-based economy, is one of the sectors I am promoting on my current trade and investment mission to India.”
“Laservision, which exports 97 per cent of its services, is an innovative and creative leader in the entertainment sector and a great example of how NSW companies are competing and winning in the global marketplace.
“Laservision’s work is seen in more than 20 countries, including Marina Bay in Singapore, Everland in South Korea, and the world’s largest light and sound show; ‘A Symphony of Lights’ at Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong.
Premier O’Farrell is in India leading a trade and investment mission to Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru.
With the State and Territory Export Awards complete for another year, we now move on to the 49th Australian Export Awards which will take place in Brisbane on the 8th December.
In a very difficult year for the export community, and certainly for those not exporting “crops and rocks” as one entrant put it, there are amazing stories of success coming through. These stories demonstrate the innovative nature of our exporters, their persistence and ingenuity in establishing footholds in new markets, and their positive can-do approach which is essential to overcome the many barriers to export.
The ‘crops’ seem to have won it in 2011 with 5 of the State & Territory overall winners coming from the agribusiness sector. It is wonderful to see Australia’s agribusiness sector back in the limelight, and our products receiving increased recognition and demand in overseas markets.
The Services to Mining companies did well nationally, and this is an often overlooked success story. From mining equipment to software and mine safety services, these companies exhibit world’s best practice, and their services are sought after in many mining locations around the globe.
There remains a committed manufacturing presence, who continue to strive to get their products into overseas markets in spite of a dollar at record levels. These companies are real champions, going head to head with much cheaper manufacturing nations, testament to the innovative and quality products they produce.
The Services sector is one of our growth areas; and one where price can be elastic and the best of the best is embraced. This sector of our economy has grown dramatically in recent years, along with a large expansion in the breadth of services exported.
There are some wonderful Regional businesses represented again this year. With better connectivity there is no reason why an internationally focused business can’t be located in a regional centre, and this does wonders for local employment and the economy.
It is reflective in the 49th year of the Australian Export Awards to look at the type of businesses that were winning in the 1960’s. While there were a smattering from Agribusiness and Mining, all the key winners were in Manufacturing. The changes over those 40 plus years are a good barometer of the changing direction of business, where ICT, Education and Services businesses are now doing so well on the world stage.
The Awards also represent a wonderful promotional opportunity for all the winners. By noting their success on the website and in promotional literature they enhance their standing in the industry, and provide a valid testimonial to their success. Many winners can point to new orders and new clients coming their way as a result.
And while there are icons of the export industry who continue to set the pace, every year there are new companies coming through who will become the icons of future years.
The Australian Export Awards program continues to do what it does best, showcase the export talent that we have across this great country, and reward those who put the effort into overseas expansion.
So we salute the State and Territory winners of 2011 and wish you all well in Brisbane in December!
For further information on the State and Territory Winners please visit: www.exportawards.gov.au
Peter Mace
General Manager
Australian Institute of Export
For the second year running, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is running a competition to help Australian and New Zealand companies successfully set up a business in the UK.
Expand to the UK with UKTI's Go UK competition
Around 80 Australian and New Zealand businesses expand their business presence in the UK each year, most of these with the help of UKTI, the British Government's trade and development arm. UKTI offers personalised, professional help with everything businesses need to succeed in the UK including advice on visas, company location, tax issues, employment, banking and much more. But none of them get quite the helping hand that the Go UK competition provides.
Win business-class return flights to the UK as part of a $25,000 package of business support
Three lucky Australian winners and one New Zealand winner will get return business class flights to the UK provided by British Airways as part of a business-support package worth $25,000 to help make sure their UK business will be a success.
Homart Pharmaceuticals has been very lucky to win another prestigious international business award on 27 Oct 2011. This time Homart won the "AustCham Westpac Australia-China Business Awards 2011" (category: Westpac Business Excellence SME Award).
Homart’s vision is to produce and promote quality Australian health supplements and skin care products around the world. Established in Australia in 1992, Homart specialises in Australian wholesale, global export, contract manufacturing of premium quality Australian health supplements and skin care products. Homart develops and manufactures an extensive range of over 100 health supplements and skincare products and markets them throughout Australia, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, the US and other countries. Homart also provides customers contract manufacturing service (private label) for their health supplement and skincare products. Its three niche brands in Australia are Top Life, Spring Leaf, and Health N Nature.
Despite the global financial crisis, export sales have continued to grow at a rate of 100 percent y-o-y since 2008 which the company credits to its strong focus and growth in China, Hong Kong and Macau. Please go to www.homart.com.au for more information about Homart, its growth, and its products.
**** About this prestigious international business award: ****
This award is organised by The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong & Macau, Beijing and Shanghai, and is supported and sponsored by Westpac and Austrade. The category Westpac Business Excellence SME Award recognizes an Australian business with fewer than 100 employees, that has demonstrated the most outstanding performance in Greater China over the past year.
The AustCham Australia-China Business Awards has for 19 years been a means of recognising companies that have worked to deliver Australian products or services to the Greater China region. These awards have grown in stature over the years and are now recognised as a high profile celebration of business success among Australian business communities in the region. Winners of the Awards was announced at a ceremony held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Hong Kong on Thursday 27 October 2011 attended by:
1. The Australian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Ms Frances Adamson,
2. Australian business and finance commentator for the ABC, Alan Kohler,
3. As well as a keynote speech from Ian Bauert, Managing Director (China) of Rio Tinto, and
4. Other leading dignitaries and business people from across Greater China.
The University of Sydney is leading a delegation of 17 Masters Students to Sao Paulo next February 2012. As part of the delegation, the University will undertake a consultancy project foranAustralian company looking to expand their operations into Brazil.
Through the Australian Institute’s of Export partnership with the University of Sydney, we are seeking expressions of interest from AIEX members who are interested in a FREE consultancy project into expanding their business into Brazil. The opportunity is open to all industry sectors but the company must be a member of the Australian Institute of Export.
The delegation will consist of nine marketing specialists and eight general/ strategic management specialists. So, this is a wonderful opportunity for a small company to benefit from a free consulting services.
If you are interested, please e-mail Lisa McAuley atlisamcauley@aiex.com.auand include the following information:
Company name
Contact name and contact details
Industry sector
Brief description of the opportunities for your business to expand into Brazil
Once we have received this information we will forward your details to the University of Sydney. If you have any queries please contact Lisa McAuley on 02 8243 7400.
The Australia-India Council (AIC) welcomes funding applications from individuals and organisations in Australia for projects which are likely to promote long-term contact and cooperation between Australia and India. AIC grants are intended to provide seed funds for innovative proposals relevant to the mission and goals of the Council.
Closing Date for Applications is midnight (AEDST) 18 November 2011
Enquiries may be directed to: AIC Secretariat on Tel: (02) 6261 3833 (Australia) or 4139 9947 (India) or to the AIC emails (ausindia.council@dfat.gov.au)
The Council gives priority to projects in the following areas:
The Arts (including literature and film)
Education
Social initiatives (including public health and sport)
Science/Technology/Environment
Public Policy Activities (including media links)
The Council will also consider applications for funding support for a limited number of projects and activities in other areas consistent with Council objectives.
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