Food safety/security trends and the Japan - Australia Economic Partnership

Negotiations on the Japan Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA) were concluded with a joint announcement in Tokyo on 7 April this year by PM Tony Abbott and PM Shinzo Abe. How will this EPA really benefit our two countries, particularly in the area of agriculture and food safety and security?

Our two speakers on July 9 will provide answers to that question. David Thorn, Global Head of Consumer Sectors and Head of Institutional Banking, Asia, National Australia Bank, will present together with the CEO of Austrade, Bruce Gosper.

David will discuss trade and investment flows between Australia and Japan, specifically focussing on trends in food safety/security.  Bruce will set the scene with insights into the Japan - Australia EPA, discussing the next steps, who will be the likely benefactors, and how will it be implemented.

This is a not-to-be-missed event for anyone interested in the future of Australia-Japan trade.

Bios

David Thorn leads NAB’s Institutional Banking division in Asia in conjunction with his role as the Global Head of Consumer Sectors. Mr. Thorn is the first global industry sector head in NAB to be located in Asia, having been posted to Hong Kong in January 2013 to drive NAB growth extensively across Asia. He has over 25 years banking experience and has been leading NAB's Consumer Sectors team for around seven years. David and his experienced teams around Australia, across Asia and in New York and London have been actively involved in numerous M&A transactions for Australian, New Zealand and multi-national clients.

Bruce Gosper is CEO of Austrade, the Australian Government agency responsible for promoting trade, investment and international education, and tourism policy, programs and research. He is a career public servant, beginning with the Dept of Trade and Resources in 1980, and appointed as Deputy Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2009, where he was responsible for all trade negotiations. Other key appointments have included Minister-Counsellor (Agriculture) at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo, and Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Supported by the Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee (AJBCC) and Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sydney Inc.