Japan a growing market
ALICIA NALLY CAIRNS’ farmers and agedcare providers could find a growing market for their products and services in Japan.
More than 50 delegates discussed trade and investment opportunities in health and medical research, education and seniors’ living at the biennial Australia Japan Conference at the Pullman International hotel yesterday.
Australia-Japan Foundation chairman Murray McLean said a familiarity with Cairns among many Japanese would work in the city’s favour as new trade treaties came into effect.
“Australia is very advanced in the aged-care industry and the Japanese have an ageing population, more so than in Australia,” he said.
“It’s definitely an industry which can be developed.”
Mr McLean said Tablelands fruit growers could also seize opportunities to export.
Australia Japan Society Queensland president Andrew Hay said Japanese leaders wanting to secure energy and food resources provided agribusiness opportunities in Australia.
“The third round of tariff decreases and quota increases … including beef and horticulture provides an advantage for cheaper and more products going into Japan,” he said.
“For agribusiness, technology is important. We tend to be a taker in technology, I dare say we benefit more from Japan’s technology than the other way.”