Local experts identify new ways to unlock potential
WORK by two Chinese nationals in Townsville could help boost the region’s agricultural and tourism exchange with Australia’s largest trading partner.
Jing Li is researching a doctorate at James Cook University in Townsville with interests in tourism and human geography, while Crystal Pugh is married to an Ingham- based mango farmer and wants to organise the export of North Queensland produce to China.
Both presented at James Cook University’s Asian Market Forum in Townsville last week.
Ms Li has been studying in Townsville for about two years and lives with a local family.
Ms Li said there was a rising appetite for travel by Chinese people to Australia and that Townsville would be attractive as a lifestyle destination.
She suggested home stays and the use of the Airbnb platform.
“Chinese tourists are quite interested in lifestyle experiences and, personally, I quite like the lifestyle of Townsville people. It’s very different from the busy life in China,” Ms Li said.
“I think we can do something to make our lifestyle and indigenous culture an attractive Chinese tourists.”
Ms Pugh, from Guangzhou, came to Townsville in 2016 and has worked in supply chain services for more than 20 years, more recently in cross- border e- commerce with platforms including Alibaba, Amazon and ebay.
She is an overseas product manager for Guangzhou- based logistics company HYL Logistics Co Ltd.
Ms Pugh said trade in fresh food was growing quickly in China, opening opportunities for North Queensland producers to export products such as beef, mangoes and honey.
She has been contacting farmers and working with trade agency Trade and Investment Queensland to source products for export by ship and air.
“I handle the supply chain and help with import clearance in China. We ( also) provide the bonded warehouse service,” Ms Pugh said.
She said the use of e- commerce platforms and organising the supply chain locally could help improve returns for farmers.
Ms Pugh told the forum China was set to become the world’s largest importer of fruit and vegetables, imported about three million tonnes of seafood in 2017 and was now the largest importer of beef, surpassing the United States last year, with consumption of about 1.3 million tonnes. product to