Heidi Dugan | The Australian Prime Minister's Visit To China, Warming Australia-China Relations, CIIE, & Singles Day

In this episode of The Negotiation, we are delighted to feature Heidi Dugan, Chair of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai (AustCham). 

Heidi joins the show at a critical juncture in Australian-China relations. After several years of frosty ties, Canberra and Beijing are taking steps to normalize the bilateral relationship—most notably by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese making a state visit to China earlier in November. Heidi discusses the work AustCham did around the state visit and the China International Import Expo (CIIE), as well as the broader efforts they are making to improve Australian-China relations. 

With relations warming, Heidi speaks about her optimism for better trade and investment between Australia and China. She pinpoints key growth sectors for Australian businesses in China, including health and wellness, education, and cosmetics. 

Having lived in China for nearly 30 years, Heidi also shares her insights on why Chinese consumers think so highly of Australian consumer brands. 

This is a fascinating conversation with one of the most prominent Australian business leaders in China.

Topics Discussed and Key Points:

●      An introduction to the Australian Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) in Shanghai.

●      The crucial role of storytelling in brand development and investment in the Chinese market.

●      Exploring growth opportunities in sectors such as medical equipment, health and wellness, education, and cosmetics in China.

●      Insights into the sentiment among Australian business leaders towards China.

●      A detailed look at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) and Australia's involvement.

●      The impact of Singles Day on Australian brands and the evolving maturity of the Chinese consumer market.