MEMBER for New England Barnaby Joyce said more than 600 Australian business delegates, including some from this and neighbouring electorates are currently taking part in the Australian Government’s Australia Week in China trade mission to China leaving this weekend.

The mission, led by Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb and involving the Prime Minister Tony Abbott, is the largest to leave our shores and is part of the Coalition Government’s aggressive trade and investment agenda.

Mr Joyce said the mission will focus on growing Australia’s already strong partnership with China across Australia’s sectors of strength including agribusiness, food, beverage and consumer goods, education and training, financial services, health and senior living, resources, mining equipment, technology and services and built environment, tourism and investment.

“China purchases over a quarter (28 per cent in 2012-13) of our exports and in last year 2013, China accounted for 36 per cent of Australia’s goods exports at a total value of $94.5 billion, including iron ore ($52.8 billion) and coal ($9.1 billion) In 2012-13,” Mr Joyce said.

“Primary producers in the electorate will be represented by organisations like Australian Wool Innovation and Meat and Livestock Australia as well as meat processors from my electorate and from Casino and Scone,” he said.

“China is also Australia’s largest source of international students and we are continually growing in terms of exporting our services such as tourism and financial and legal professional services.

“Australia Week in China will present businesses with the opportunity to make valuable contacts in China, meet with Chinese industry leaders and decision makers and develop further cultural understanding of the business landscape,” Mr Joyce said.

More than 80 business events will be held in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Hong Kong over five days from April 7 to 11.