International competitiveness is hard to quantify. It means more than simply being cheapest or even having the best product. It requires companies to be customer focused, innovative, and agile. It means that companies should have access to infrastructure and information that closes the gap between themselves and their markets.
In the current global political climate, it has never been more important for companies to stay abreast of changes to the political and economic settings in their target markets.
With this in mind, Australia’s ambassadors will meet for a Global Heads of Mission (HOM) Meeting from 28-30 March in Canberra.
It will bring together for the first time our ambassadors, high commissioners and consuls-general to discuss foreign, trade and development policy objectives and the global environment in which we are seeking to achieve them.
Ai Group has taken the opportunity to arrange for several HOMs to attend member events across our national network. This will give members direct access to the people who are on the ground and whose responsibility it is to observe any changes in the local environment that may impact on Australia’s economic interests. These observations usually end up locked away in Canberra and we wanted to give members access to the most up-to-date political and economic insights from markets with opportunities that match our capabilities.
With 113 HOMs to choose from, it was difficult to restrict ourselves to just nine markets. We chose the markets we did because they provide opportunities for members, they are experiencing rapid social and economic changes and it can be difficult to find non-alarmist information on these markets in the popular press.
| Markets | Theme | Location | Date |
| UK | BREXITUK Aus FTA
Manufacturing links |
Adelaide | Thursday March 30 |
| Saudi | Political changes in SaudiSaudi’s industrial strategy
Politics of region |
Adelaide with VC to Melbourne and Brisbane | Thursday March 30 |
| France, Germany, Italy | Advanced manufacturingDefence links
Domestic Elections BREXIT EU Aus FTA |
Sydney | Thursday March 30 |
| Israel | Israel’s innovation agenda | Melbourne | Friday March 31 |
| Sweden and Russia | Mining and Volvo truck investment | Brisbane | Friday March 31 |
| India | Mining and water technologyIndia – Aus FTA | Perth | Friday March 31 |
We hold these events to encourage more members to consider exporting for the first time or for existing exporters to receive information that can lead to improvements to current processes. We believe very strongly that bringing companies together to listen to experts and to share war stories is essential to building a positive export culture.
If you have not received a direct invitation and would like to attend one of these events, please get in contact with Louise McGrath at louise.mcgrath@aigroup.com.au
