Sydney companies looking to explore business opportunities in Asia will soon have access to free expert information, business networks and specialist support, following funding from the City of Sydney.
A series of Asia Insights Workshops will be produced by Asialink Business with a $30,000 cash grant from the City. The workshops will provide invaluable assistance to small to medium businesses looking to enter markets in Asia, expand existing networks and drive future success.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the workshops would fill a gap for local businesses who want to maximise opportunities in China and other Asian growth markets.
“As Asia’s economy becomes more oriented to services and domestic consumption, Sydney’s position as Australia’s global city and the gateway to Asia will present new opportunities for our local businesses,” the Lord Mayor said.
“We want to help Sydney businesses enhance their expertise – whether that’s the skills needed to expand into Asian markets, or to conduct negotiations with Asian partners – and increase their awareness of business opportunities across the region.
“The Asialink Business workshops will provide practical advice and support for our local businesses. By funding programs, seminars and forums that help our businesses access Asian markes, we’re helping open up opportunities they might not otherwise have access to.”
The workshops aim to increase local companies’ knowledge and understanding of Asian markets across a range of relevant business and cultural topics, including doing business with China and India, how to enter and expand into Asian markets and conducting negotiations in Asia.
The four workshops will be delivered to up to 50 participants at each seminar and will be free for businesses located within the City of Sydney area. Asialink Business CEO, Mukund Narayanamurti, said the workshops would provide tailored solutions to help businesses seize the potential of diverse Asian markets.
“The courses aim to equip organisations in all sectors to become Asia-ready by developing the critical skills, knowledge and networks needed to engage with the region and identify long-term, sustainable connections,” Mr Narayanamurt said.
Victoria Clent, Managing Director of Aligned, a city-based fund management company, completed an Asialink Business course in 2015. She says the course gave her invaluable cultural insights and business connections.
“Through the course, I got a much better grasp of the economic and political sphere and how diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific region works. These insights have proved to be invaluable, because you can ruin a deal in Asia by not being culturally aware,” Ms Clent said.
“Asia offers a wealth of opportunities for Sydney businesses, but you have to be ready. Doing a course like the Asialink Business program will give small businesses an understanding of what they need to do to be ready to do business in Asia.
“Exposure to Asialink’s business and government networks has definitely helped me secure business. Meeting other Australian businesses that were on a similar journey was an added benefit.”
The City delivers a variety of free programs for local businesses, including:
- Business 101 seminars for small to medium businesses;
- Business improvement grants;
- Sustainability packages to help reduce a company’s environmental impact;
- Presentations and workshops by experts in a variety of fields;
- Supporting local businesses through award sponsorships;
- Forums that help protect businesses against theft and fraud; and
- A range of podcasts and online information resources.
For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Advisor Belinda Wallis on 0467 810 160 or bwallis@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Paul Mackay on 0432 182 647 or pmackay@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au