Steve Bracks, premier of Victoria, says Australia regards Hong Kong as the entry point to China
Diane Tregoning, general manager, Black Forest Timber, one of the participating firms in the Access China Programme, sees huge market opportunities in the mainland

Hong Kong is the right place to launch the Access China Programme as Australia regards the city as the launchpad to the Chinese mainland, according to the Premier of Victoria, Steve Bracks.

On a recent trip to the mainland to lay the framework for the signing of a free trade pact, Mr Bracks said Hong Kong is the first place in Asia to introduce the new Access China Programme. The mainland is Australia's third largest trading partner and there "are enormous investment and trading opportunities."

"Hong Kong is our oldest business centre in the world. We have been here for over 13 years and Hong Kong is both important and crucial for Australia. Hong Kong was the entry point to China and we still view it as such. With the Access China Programme we hope to establish more business relationships with China, " said Mr Bracks.

Diane Tregoning, general manager of Black Forest Timber, one of the participating firms in the Access China Programme, sees huge market opportunities in hardwood timber exports from Victoria to the mainland.

"We see Hong Kong as an international gateway providing opportunities to China. Our Hong Kong office has set up a lot of interested parties for us to meet and Hong Kong is also able to provide us with people with the relevant business background for translations.  

Ms Tregoning said Hong Kong's superb infrastructure such as freight facilities and its international business hub role is also good for business. She sees Hong Kong as a "transit arrangement".

"Given that the mainland is about 12 hours from Australia, it would be better for us to meet halfway in Hong Kong," added Ms Tregoning.