News

South Korean trade delegation visiting Mildura

Tue, 03 Nov 2015 06:45:00

Mildura’s regional development body is excited about the prospects for building business linkages from a South Korean trade mission visiting Sunraysia this week.

Mildura is one of only two Australian regions chosen to host a delegation of senior South Korean agricultural businessmen and investors.
The 11-member delegation from South Korea will include members from the Korean Overseas Agri-Development Association (KOADA), investors and South Korean government officials who will be in Mildura for four days as a first step in building relationships between organisations and businesses.
The visit has been organized in conjunction with Goodfarmers Pty Ltd and facilitated by the Mildura Development Corporation. The acting chief executive officer Jenny Garonne said the visit presented some significant opportunities for local business.
“The Korean Overseas Agri-Development Association has 68 business members and is focused on assisting these entities into overseas agriculture development,” Ms Garonne said.
“These are high-level businessmen, investors and government officials and we understand they are particularly interested in forming partnerships to access products from our region and to look at agricultural investment and international education opportunities,” she said.
“One of the participants is a director and agriculture production buyer for Top Mart Korea, an extensive department store and grocery outlet, with stores throughout Korea.
“Another is an investor in large agriculture projects in Russia and Cambodia.
“Given Korea imports 80 percent of food products and the recent actioning of new International Trade Agreements, there are certainly some significant opportunities for this to be a formative step in Mildura accessing some exciting new opportunities.”
Through this co-venture, the number of South Korean students undertaking International Agricultural studies in our regional is set to increase in 2016.
The itinerary this week includes visits to businesses in the Mildura region, a civic reception and a mini food and beverage expo.
Ms Garonne said the Association act as advisors to the South Korean Government which is providing the funding for the delegation.
Matthew Simpson and Sang-Yub Roh (Jeff), Goodfarmers Pty Ltd are international trade and investment brokers with Aus Asia Industries. Goodfarmers, a local company, was recruited by KOADA to act as independent advisor and to organize a delegation of South Korean government officials and investors to visit Australia. They chose to feature the Sunraysia region due to its world renowned agricultural standing.
“It was really through that existing relationship that Mildura was able to come up in front of many other horticultural and agricultural regions and was offered the opportunity to host the visit,” she said.
“Jeff and Matt visited South Korea five months ago and we are fortunate they have been so proactive in brokering relationships for the entire region.
“We know that existing interactions and trust are so important in doing business in South Korea and this is a great opportunity for many Mildura firms and industries to begin that process of building new relationships.”

Overview of Itinerary:
(Media Opportunities are available by arrangement )

Wednesday 4 November, 2015:

• Flag unveiling Sangyub Roh (Jeff) from Good farmers
• Civic Welcome followed by presentations to the delegation by:
 Jenny Garonne, MDC
 Peter O’Donnell, Southern Cross Farms 
 Phil Endley, Lower Murray Water
 Brenton Love, Collie & Tierney
• Site visit to Northed International College

Thursday 5 November, 2015:

• Presentation by Mallee Sustainable Farming
• Site visits:
 Golden Grains
 Wakefields Transport
 Qualia Wines
• Mini Food and Beverage Expo at Qualia Wines
• Presentations from Murray River Salt, dried fruit, citrus, wine table grape industries
• Trade exhibits from local producers

Friday 6 November, 2015:

• MADEC
• John Deere/Landmark/Kubota: Farm equipment
• Site visits:
 Agromillora Nursery
 Sunbeam Foods
 MADEC
 Rural and equipment suppliers

Saturday 7 November, 2015

• Site visits:
 Nangiloc Colignan Farms
 Southern Cross Farms
 Australian Garlic