City of Sydney helps local business maximise links with Asia

Sydney companies looking to explore business opportunities in Asia will soon have access to free expert insights, practical information, business networks and specialist support, following new collaboration between the City of Sydney and Asialink Business.

The City of Sydney has engaged Asialink Business to design and deliver a series of Asia Insights Workshops, which will help small to medium businesses looking to enter markets in Asia, expand existing networks and drive future success.

Sydney 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 markets, we’re helping open up opportunities they might not otherwise have access to.”

“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 markets, 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 themes covering business and cultural considerations, 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 Narayanamurti 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 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 this 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 Business’ networks has definitely helped me secure business. Meeting other Australian businesses that were on a similar journey was an added benefit.”

For more information visit Asialink Business.

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Heather Chai

+61 3 8344 8451

  • Business