International buyers to get taste of Australian building & architecture products

Over 160 international buyers will get the chance to network with local businesses and view the latest Australian building products and systems when they attend the major Designbuild trade expo in Melbourne next week as part of an Austrade organised program.

Now in its 20th year Designbuild is Australias largest building and design trade expo with event organisers, Australian Exhibition Services, this year expecting over 430 exhibitors and 15,000 trade visitors.

Austrade Senior Export Adviser for Building and Construction, Elizabeth Gordon, who is leading Austrades team at Designbuild, says that building and construction products are a significant component of Australias exports with annual sales approaching $3bn.

"Ongoing strong international building activity, especially in parts of Asia and the Middle East, is translating into new and expanding opportunities for the products and services being offered by Australian companies."

"Demand is also strong because Australian building products have developed a reputation for being well designed, high quality and technically advanced, while providing genuine and effective solutions," Ms Gordon said.

Austrade has identified international opportunities for a wide range of Australian building and architectural products especially those with an innovative or distinctive edge, and particularly in areas such as sustainable and energy efficient products, construction and project management technology solutions, monitoring and control systems for security and building facility management.

International buyers attending Designbuild as part of the Austrade hosted program include representatives from India, Iran, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, PNG, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Thailand, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Australias fastest growing market for building and construction products is Vietnam, so its no surprise that the largest group of buyers participating in the program is from that country. One member is Mr Hai Quang of the Hanoi-based Viet Tien Industry & Construction Equipment Company which installs and provides after sales service for equipment in the construction sector. The company already has strong ties with Australia, working with companies in NSW, Victoria, and Queensland, and is looking to find new suppliers of innovative building technology and construction equipment.

As well as the international buyers program, Austrade will host an International Buyers Lounge to provide a meeting place for international buyers and local suppliers, conduct an Exporter Breakfast Briefing, and have representatives from its global network available who can advise companies exhibiting at the Expo on specific market conditions and opportunities.

"Austrade has found that international buyer programs such as this one are highly effective ways to showcase Australian products and capabilities to genuine international buyers," Ms Gordon said.

"Austrades aim at Designbuild is to ensure that Australian businesses have the opportunity to meet with international visitors to maximise their chances of developing productive international business relationships and to gain significant export sales," she said.