The first ever Australian International Food and Wine Fair will be held in Tianjin in June next year, which will see Australian wine, fruit and vegetables, nuts, honey, olives and olive oil exported to China.
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, who is currently leading a business delegation in China, said Australia was well-known across the world for its food and wine industry.
“We have a strong reputation for being clean and green in our food production. Melbourne’s own Food and Wine Festival, which has been running for almost 20 years, is an extraordinary success with Melburnians,” the Lord Mayor said.
“China’s rising middle class and purchasing power is opening the door to many new opportunities for exporters back home and the signing of this MOU will be of great benefit to producers in the Mildura region.”
Mr Dane Huxley, Chair of Mildura Development Corporation, supported the Lord Mayor’s comments.
“Mildura is a large producer of quality food and beverage products and China is a very important market for our region. Mildura Development Corporation is pleased to be part of this opportunity and we look forward to the inaugural International Food and Wine Fair in Tianjin next year.”
The MOU is one of five agreements witnessed by the two mayors last night. Other MOUs involve the education, biochemical and international trade sectors.
Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle and Mayor of Tianjin Huang Xingguo were present at the signing of an MOU between the Tianjin Exhibition Company and Mildura Development Corporation this week that is set to create export opportunities for companies in Victoria.
