They will have to decide whether to swing back to China if Beijing reopens to exporters or continue to pursue market share in Southeast Asia, says Nicholas Moore.
Australian businesses face a choice between further expanding commercial ties with south-east Asia or swinging back towards China as it loosens its COVID-19 restrictions and, potentially, its trade bans as well, says former Macquarie Group CEO Nicholas Moore.Nicholas Moore is the government’s special envoy for Southeast Asia.He said there were significant opportunities in trade and investment between south-east Asia and Australia that had yet to be fully explored and exploited.
He and officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have been surveying business leaders who are active in south-east Asia. “Some of the feedback we’ve received already is that the issues with China in recent times have required some exporters to focus more on the region,” Mr Moore said.Advertisement
“This is not a mercantilist sort of endeavour,” he said. “This is not just saying, Australia wants to just sell you things and invest in your country.“And we would like you to invest in our country as well.” As part of the role, Mr Moore will recommend to the government to help raise awareness among businesses and investors about the opportunities in south-east Asia.“Part of the direction of the government is making sure that the Australian investment community and the Australian exporting community and importing community is aware of what the opportunities are in the region,” he said.
“Commerce isn’t divorced from government and government’s not divorced from commerce,” Mr Moore said.
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