About: The Construction Working Group exists to create a dialogue amongst building, construction, property, and allied professionals within Beijing. It positions Australian business and AustCham members as major participants in the Construction and Infrastructure segments in China to create opportunities to introduce their products, services and capabilities to leading Chinese Construction and/or infrastructure Authorities.
Meetings: The group has monthly meetings, special focus meetings and one-off events, attracting a range of attendees for across many industries. Future topics will cover project management in China, is solar power commercially viable, how to measure a building’s value and how are development’s funded in China, amongst others.
About: The primary focus of the Sourcing Working Group is to support Australian companies who are sourcing products from China. Sourcing from China can be one way of reducing costs, but it can also be fraught with danger. Strategy, planning and preparation are critical to being successful. Issues considered include how to find good quality suppliers, how to negotiate firm prices with Chinese firms, how to find and retain good quality local staff and how to manage expectations of bosses back in Australia.
Meetings: There is a two-fold approach in the group – the internal focus to share information and advice amongst members through guest speakers and specialist topics, while the external focus is to provide information, support and advice to AustCham members and the broader Australian business community on sourcing. Our most important recent with was the preparation of a white paper on Sourcing from China and how to avoid the pitfalls (available from the Secretariat).
All members are welcome and the best information is only available to those who attend.
About: This Group works to support Australia’s commercial and cultural interests in the lead up to and during the Beijing 2008 Olympics. The group also provides an Olympic business to business platform within the Chamber.
Meetings: The Group supports ad-hoc support services, introductions and networking for members with an interest in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. A wide range of activities are supported through the group - the AustCham Olympic forum, attendance at Olympic test events, launch of the Jade Package through Business Club Australia and signing up of new members involved in the Olympic economy.
About: The food and agriculture working group is a platform for networking, promoting common interests, and understand & influence Chinese officials
Meetings: Members are from corporate, consulting and advisory businesses. The group has the support and involvement of the Australian Embassy’s two Agricultural Counsellors, as well as Austrade. The group aims to further develop their structured and strategic approach to Chinese government officials and AQSIC. Recently, the group has facilitated roundtable discussions with MNC and SMEs, and had presentations from key senior Australian government figures.
About: This working group aims to broadly represent the needs of AustCham Beijing members in the education and training industry in promoting their business interests. The groups works to increase understanding of regulations, requirements and developments governing the education and training industry in China and Australia, while promoting Australia as the premier international education destination .
Meetings: The group has members from a diverse range of industries - Australian universities and schools, Study in Australia, International Schools, Executive Coaching and Language Training. Meetings, conferences and fairs are arranged, relevant to the working group, and the meetings provide a forum for the exchange of information, ideas, and interests amongst private education business and government.
