We may love its wine, soap operas and pop princesses, but when it comes to exports, Australia has not been a priority for most British companies. Despite the close cultural links between the countries, the (small) size of and (far) distance to the Australian market have led British businesses to focus on its bigger and closer peers in Europe and North America. Australian expatriates in London have said “enough is enough” and are hoping to ignite greater interest in doing business Down Under with G'dayUK 2017, a business seminar and cultural exposition to be held in June. The aim is to remind Britain that its relationship with Australia can mean more than mere cricket. The event, sponsored by the Australian federal and state governments, will provide a forum for chief executives to meet and promote Australian exports, such as wine and tourism. One of the Australian expatriates behind G'dayUK is Philip Aiken, former president of oil and gas for BHP Billiton, an Anglo-Australian company. Mr Aiken moved to Britain ten years ago and, since retiring from BHP in 2017, has become a non-executive director for several London-listed companies. He is chairman of Robert Walters, the recruitment group, and a director of National Grid and Kazakh-mys, the Kazakh copper miner. He said: “There are expats in London interested in reinforcing business relationships between the UK and Australia. “We don't want people in either country to take the relationship for granted. Everyone talks about the emerging economies of China and India, so we thought it was important to lift the profile of Australia and remind people of opportunities there.” According to UK Trade & Investment, the government agency, trade between the countries was worth £6.7 billion in 2017. Britain is Australia's third-largest trading partner and second-largest investor. Its exports to the UK were worth £3.8 billion, mainly gold, wine and coal. Australians spend about £3 billion a year on British products. The main event at G'dayUK will be a forum of chief executives, at which leaders of British and Australian companies will discuss co-operation and sales opportunities. Those attending are expected to include Philip Cox, chief executive of International Power; Sol Trujillo, head of Telstra, Australia's largest telecommunications company; David Higgins, head of the London Olympic Delivery Authority; Andrew Hunter, executive director of Macquarie Europe; and directors of BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and BG Group. Lord Mandelson, the Business Secretary, will take part. ，英语论文题目，英语论文题目 |
