Tradeways e-zine April 2012 Edition


In This Issue: News Market in Focus e-link Upcoming Events: Victoria New South Wales Queensland South Australia	Edition 125 April 2012
	From the Trade Desk Trading internationally can challenge your fundamental beliefs in how business should be done. One area that some members struggle with is the role of bribery, corruption and facilitation payments in many of our key markets. Whatever you may feel about the role of these sorts of payments, what you should be aware of is your legal responsibility and the consequences for Australian companies should you or your employees engage in any bribery of foreign public officials. To help members understand these issues, we have produced a short video which can be accessed on this BIZassistBriefings Link. If you have any questions on this topic, please contact Louise McGrath National Manager – Business and International Advisory Services trade@aigroup.asn.au
News Unsolicited IP Services Most Australian firms providing registration, maintenance and other forms of IP assistance are reputable. However, you should exercise caution when receiving unsolicited correspondence or responding to invoices regarding your IP. If you own a registered patent or trade mark, you may find yourself the target of letters regarding domestic or overseas registration of your IP. Letters from unfamiliar organisations, especially letters requesting payment for unsolicited services, should be treated with caution. Visit IP Australia's website for more information about unsolicited IP services including a list of organisations known for these practices. Trade Deficit Continues Australia recorded a trade deficit of $480 million in February. This is the second month of trade deficit and the first consecutive deficits in two years. The value of goods and services exports fell 2.1% in the month, reflecting a 3.4% decline in services exports and a 1.8% contraction in merchandise exports. Overall exports have been contracting since the start of the year. The value of goods and services imports decreased by 3.9% in February. Merchandise imports fell 4.6% while services imports declined 1.2%. Imported consumption goods contracted 6.9%. Meanwhile, imports of capital goods decreased 4.6%, and imports of intermediate and other merchandise goods fell 3.4%. Australia's export performance has been weak since the start of the year, reflecting the strength of the Australian dollar and the renewed global economic slowdown. Heightened global economic uncertainty has dimmed consumer and business confidence in Australia, resulting in a softening of domestic demand. Consistent with this, the trend growth in imported consumption goods has dipped after a brief rebound in the later part of 2011 and the trend growth in imported intermediate goods has been declining since April last year. Free Business Assistance for Small Companies Still Feeling the Effects of the Floods If your business was directly or indirectly affected by natural disasters last year, Ai Group is pleased to offer you the free services of an expert business adviser to provide assistance across a range of areas. Ai Group is providing small business advisory services under the Australian Government's Natural Disaster Assistance program. These services are funded by the Federal Government. Our adviser, Carolyn Macgill, can meet with you to determine your specific needs and areas where we can assist. This can include guidance and/or templates which address: Business Reviews Business Analysis Business, Marketing and Export Plans Change Management Strategic Planning Marketing Advice Employment Advice Succession and Business Continuity Advice Export and International Market Development Assistance with Regulatory Bodies in Australia and Offshore Assistance in Preparing Response to Tender Grant Assistance Market Research and Market Intelligence Individual or Group Seminars In cases where Ai Group does not have the expertise we will provide referrals to national and state agencies or other specialists. Please email carolyn.macgill@aigroup.asn.au to register your interest in this free service. Carbon Grants: Access Assistance and Cut Your Costs From 1 July 2012 the introduction of the Carbon Price will impact costs for most businesses, particularly through energy bills. Substantial funding assistance for energy efficiency and emissions reduction projects is being made available to eligible manufacturers, and businesses in the manufacturing supply chain, under the Australian Government's $1 billion Clean Technology Program. These competitive grants can pay at least 25% of eligible project costs, and up to 50% for smaller projects at smaller businesses. They are now open for applications. To help your business access the funds available, Ai Group is running practical seminars across Australia in April and May. These three-hour seminars will have two parts: Funding your Efficiency Project and Planning your Efficiency Project. Register for a session in your state today. Victoria Melbourne - 17 April 2012, 9am-12pm Bendigo - 18 April 2012, 10am-1pm Ballarat - 19 April 2012, 10am-1pm Geelong - 20 April 2012, 10am-1pm (In conjunction with Geelong Manufacturing Council) Queensland* Brisbane - 18 April 2012, 9am - 12pm New South Wales Rosehill - 24 April 2012, 9am - 12pm Newcastle - 26 April 2012, 10am - 1pm Albury - 27 April 2012, 1pm - 4pm Wollongong - 1 May 2012, 10am - 1pm South Australia Wayville - 1 May 2012, 9am - 12pm e-link Worldwide Telephone Codes - http://countrycode.org/ CountryCode.org is a guide to calling anywhere in the world. The calling chart on the homepage will help you find the dialling codes you need to make long distance phone calls around the globe. Simply find and click the country you wish to call. You'll find instructions on how to call that country using its country code, as well as other helpful information like city area codes, ISO country codes and the kinds of electrical outlets and phone jacks found in that part of the world. Market in Focus - Brunei Darussalam Why Brunei Darussalam? General Information Geography The Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam is situated on the northwest coast of the island of Borneo. The capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, lies inland on the Brunei River. Brunei occupies 5,765 square kilometres and is divided into two parts, both of which are surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak. Relatively little of Brunei's landmass is cultivated and around 60% is covered by primary forest. Brunei's coastline stretches for 161 kilometres along the South China Sea. Brunei is one of many nations with outstanding claims regarding South China Sea boundaries, including the Spratly Islands. Brunei's tropical climate is hot, humid and rainy. The average annual temperature is 27.1°C and the country receives an average of almost 2.9 metres of rain annually. Population The population of Brunei is estimated at 417,000 (2010 IMF data), about 66% of whom are ethnic Malay. A further 11% are ethnic Chinese and about 3% are indigenous. The relatively large population of foreign contract workers is drawn from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, as well as from South Asia. Malay is the official language, although a sizable minority speak Chinese dialects and English is widely used in commerce, education and government. The local variety of Malay (Kedayan or Bukit Malay) is quite different from standard Malay. Islam is the official religion of Brunei Darussalam and the Islamic faith permeates the social and cultural fabric of the country. There are minority groups of Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and a small number of people who practise indigenous religions. Political Overview Brunei's National Day is 23 February - a date associated with Brunei's independence in 1984. Its political structures are informed by the national philosophy of Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB), or Malay Islamic Monarchy. Brunei is constitutionally an absolute monarchy. It is ruled by the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, who is both the head of state and Prime Minister. He is also the head of the Islamic faith in Brunei. His Majesty is the 29th Sultan in one of the oldest continuous hereditary royal lines in the world. The Sultan's eldest son, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, was proclaimed Crown Prince of Brunei Darussalam and heir to the throne of Brunei on 10 August 1998. In 1984, Brunei's Government was restructured into a formal ministerial system with the Sultan as Prime Minister. The Sultan also serves as Minister of Defence and Minister of Finance. He is advised by, and presides over, four policy councils: the Council of Cabinet Ministers, the Legislative Council, the Privy Council and the Religious Council. The Sultan appoints the members of each of these Councils. After a 20 year hiatus, the Sultan reconvened the Brunei Legislative Council on 25 September 2004, appointing 21 members. His Majesty then appointed a new Council with 29 members in September 2005. In May 2010, the Sultan announced a Cabinet reshuffle. The Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, now holds the position of Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office. The Sultan's brother, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The eleven other Cabinet Ministers are not members of the royal family. Brunei has one legal political party, the Parti Pembangunan (National Development Party or NDP). Brunei's judicial system reflects the strong influence of British common law. The Supreme Court comprises the High Court and the Court of Appeals, while the Subordinate Court consists of the Magistrates' Courts. The Chief Justice and Judges of Brunei's Supreme Court are sworn in by the monarch for three-year terms. The Privy Council in London remains the final court of appeal for civil cases. The jurisdiction of the Islamic Courts, which coexist with the Supreme Court, is limited to family law and property matters for Muslims including inheritance. The royal family retains a venerated position within the country and adverse comment regarding royal family matters is forbidden in Brunei. Foreign Policy Brunei's foreign policy aims to promote national policies through bilateral and multilateral fora, by encouraging cooperation in all fields. The goal is to contribute towards promoting peace, security, stability and prosperity in the region, particularly by fostering deeper understanding among countries. To this end, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) remains the cornerstone of Brunei's foreign policy. Brunei became a member of ASEAN in 1984. The guiding principles of Brunei's foreign policy include: mutual respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence and national identity of all nations; recognition of the equality of all nations large and small; non-interference in internal affairs; peaceful settlement of disputes and cooperation for mutual benefit. Brunei is active in a range of regional and multilateral fora, including Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum, the Asia-Europe Meeting, the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation and the Asia Cooperation Dialogue. It is a member of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference and the World Trade Organization (WTO), and joined the United Nations (UN) when it became independent in 1984. Brunei was one of the four original members of the 2006 Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership with Chile, New Zealand and Singapore. Economic Overview Brunei's small, high-income, open economy is underpinned by revenue from the oil and gas sector. At over USD 31,000 Brunei's per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is among the top 25 in the world (2011 IMF data). In 2009, oil and gas accounted for around 60% of Brunei's economy. Brunei's extensive foreign investments form a large, yet unreported contribution to the national budget. Small scale manufacturers (mainly furniture and textiles) and primary production (including agriculture, fisheries and forestry) make up the rest of Brunei's merchandise economy. Brunei imports nearly all of its major manufactured products and nearly 90% of its total food requirements. Despite Brunei's high dependence on oil and gas, this sector employs only 3% of the workforce. The public sector is by far the largest employer of Brunei's population, providing employment for over half the workforce. Brunei has a low tariff regime and no capital gains or personal income tax, although private businesses pay company tax. Company tax for oil and gas exploration and production companies is 55%. For all other companies it is 25%. Brunei operates a currency board system and has no central bank, with the Brunei Dollar (BND) being tied at parity with the Singapore Dollar. Both currencies are legal tender in Brunei and Singapore. The Brunei Government aims to diversify the economy away from heavy dependence on oil and gas by promoting private non-energy sector development and attracting more non-oil and gas related investment. The Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) was formed in November 2001 to stimulate the growth, expansion and development of the economy by promoting Brunei as an investment destination and facilitating diversification projects. In January 2008, the Brunei Government released its Long-Term Development Plan (Vision 2035), which aims to deliver economic diversification and to achieve a wide range of development goals by 2035. The Plan includes the fifth National Development Plan (RKN), which set a growth target of 6% and earmarked BND$9.5 billion for 826 projects intended to help achieve the Government's development goals. Recent Economic Performance The global economic crisis had limited impact on Brunei, mainly due to limited global exposure in its capital markets. Domestic banks are adequately capitalised and profitable. Banks are also highly liquid, with more than half of total deposits parked abroad. Further stability was provided by the Government's October 2008 guarantee of all Brunei-dollar and foreign currency deposits until the end of 2010. However, the fall in oil prices following the global economic crisis and subsequent decline in energy production saw Brunei's GDP contract by 1.9% in 2008 and 1.8% in 2009. 2010 saw a return to positive growth with Brunei's GDP increasing by 4.1%, due in part to more favourable external conditions and the large fiscal and current account surpluses built up through prudent Government policy in recent years. Economic Outlook Brunei's heavy dependence on the oil and gas sector means that its economy is highly vulnerable to fluctuations in oil and gas prices, which makes it difficult to predict long-term economic prospects. This dependence looks set to continue in the medium term. While Brunei's oil and gas reserves were expected to last for at least the next two decades, the March 2009 settlement of an outstanding sea bed boundary dispute with Malaysia could eventually open the way to the development of substantial new oil and gas reserves. Australia-Brunei Bilateral Relations Australia and Brunei enjoy a warm relationship dating back to well before 1959, when Brunei achieved internal self-government. The relationship has strengthened in recent years, with growing links across a range of areas including defence and security, education and trade. Brunei is an important partner for Australia in the Commonwealth, APEC, the EAS, the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, and multilateral organisations like the UN and WTO. Brunei was the ASEAN Coordinator in negotiations on the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), which was signed in Thailand on 27 February 2009 and entered into force on 1 January 2010. Defence and Security Links Australia has a strong Defence relationship with Brunei, with avenues of engagement including strategic dialogue, bilateral military exercises and technical assistance. Military exercises conducted with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces include reciprocal company level army and navy exercises. Australia also provides some training and military expertise. On 15 February 2005, Australia and Brunei signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism during the visit to Australia by His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei. The MOU provides for cooperation on customs, finance, immigration, intelligence, law enforcement, security and transport. During then Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty's visit to Brunei in May 2008, the two countries signed an MOU on combating Transnational Crime and Developing Police Cooperation. Bilateral Economic and Trade Relationship Brunei was ranked as Australia's 35th largest merchandise trading partner in 2010, though this ranking likely understates the level of transhipped trade between Australia and Brunei via Singapore. Trade and investment is an important focus of Australia's bilateral relationship with Brunei. Total direct bilateral trade with Brunei in 2010 amounted to $1.09 billion, with Australia's imports of crude petroleum from Brunei comprising just over $1.05 billion. Australia's merchandise exports to Brunei in 2010 totalled $33 million, consisting mainly of food and food products including meat excluding beef ($6 million), live animals ($3 million), beef ($3 million) and fresh vegetables ($2 million). The Bruneian Government owns two cattle stations in the Northern Territory and has interests in related industries and the tourism sector. In the services sector, a number of Australian teachers and other professionals work in Brunei. In 2010, Australia's service exports to Brunei (mainly education) were worth $58 million. Australia is now the second preferred destination for Bruneian students, with approximately 565 Bruneians enrolled in education institutions in Australia in 2010. Australian Trade and Investment Strategies The ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement: On 27 February 2009, the former Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, joined trade ministers from the ten member states of ASEAN (including Brunei) and New Zealand in signing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) in Thailand. As lead ASEAN Coordinator in the negotiations, Brunei played an important role in securing this Agreement. Ai Group is able to issue Certificates of Origin which enables companies to access the reduced tariffs offered under this agreement. Please email tradedocs@aigroup.asn.au for more information. Export Opportunities There are good trade and investment opportunities in Brunei including in the oil and gas, food and agriculture, financial and service sectors. Brunei's diversification efforts also hold some promise for Australian investors. A joint halal food production and marketing export initiative was announced in February 2005, during the Sultan's visit to Australia. Both countries agreed to examine ways to develop a halal export industry combining Australia's reputation as a producer of fresh, high quality food products with Brunei's stringent halal certification standards. The Brunei Government launched the Brunei halal accreditation symbol in August 2007, and it launched the BruneiHalal brand at its International Halal Expo in July-August 2009. Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) Austrade has identified potential opportunities for Australian suppliers of goods and services in a number of sectors. Austrade's Brunei country page has general information on doing business and on specific export opportunities. Austrade Brunei can also provide advice on accessing opportunities in Brunei. Australia-Brunei Darussalam Business Council The Australia-Brunei Darussalam Business Council (ABDBC) was established in 1994 in response to the growing interest in trade and investment between Australia and Brunei. The Council's objectives are to foster friendship and understanding between the business communities of both countries, promote technical cooperation, trade, investment and tourism, and facilitate the development of new business strategies to enhance the bilateral business relationship. The ABDBC's founder and President is Mr Francis Wong. For more information, click here. VICTORIA - Upcoming Events TradeDocs Letters of Credit and Export Documentation Ai Group can help you demystify letters of credit. This one day comprehensive and practical workshop is designed to provide you with a straightforward guide to export documentation. Find out how to comply with your Letter of Credit requirements to improve security of payment, and learn more about the purpose and application of trade terms in order to become a more successful exporter. The benefits Understanding the process involved for Letters of Credit Understanding the complexity of INCOTERMS Improved outcomes for insure and liabilities Improved processes for your shipping documents Preparation of various documents: Certificate of Origin, Carnets, Quarantine documents Greater awareness of trade scams and frauds Publications included: - Incoterms 2010 Wall chart - Comprehensive Workbook Date: 17 April 2012 Venue: 20 Queens Road, Melbourne VIC 3004 Duration: 1 Day (9:00am - 4:30pm) Cost: $517.00 (Ai Group members) / $616.00 (non Ai Group members) Contact: For more information and to register, please contact: Maya Gorelik Team Leader, Victoria Training and Events (03) 9867 0111 maya.gorelik@aigroup.asn.au High Performance Teams In most organisations, individuals rarely operate alone - it takes a group effort to get things done, so effective supervisors/managers must understand the dynamics of group behaviour and have skills in team building. High growth organisations understand that innovation is what drives growth, and innovation is achieved by people with a shared passion for problem solving and for turning ideas into realities. This two day course concentrates on team building in a creative and innovative environment and the development of a positive work culture. This is ideal for managers, supervisors, leading hands or anyone who has responsibility for building innovative teams. Date: 18-19 April 2012 Venue: 20 Queens Road, Melbourne VIC 3004 Duration: 2 Days (9:00am - 4:30pm) Cost: $690.00 (Ai Group members) / $850.00 (non Ai Group members) Contact: For more information and to register, please contact: Fiona Green Training & Events Coordinator (03) 9867 0111 fiona.green@aigroup.asn.au Small Business Advisory Service (SBAS) The objective of the Small Business Advisory Services (SBAS) program is to maximise the growth potential, prosperity and sustainability of small businesses through enhanced access to information and advice on issues important to sustaining and/or growing small business. This program aims to improve the business skills of small business operators and owners. Our Advisor Carolyn Macgill is running workshops in the following Victorian Regions: Shepparton: 19-20 April 2012 Ballarat: 2-3 May 2012 To organise an appointment or discuss her visiting your region please email carolyn.macgill@aigroup.asn.au. Australian British Chamber of Commerce - Future of Infrastructure in Australia Executive Lunch It is being suggested that Australia is moving dangerously into a low productivity phase. As the economic climate in Australia improves and the European financial solutions are eventually reached, can infrastructure help fill the gap to achieve increased productivity in Australia? As the availability of funding increases and its cost moderates, how will the private sector contribution to our accelerated infrastructure development be delivered? Sir Rod Eddington AO and The Hon Mark Birrell have a wide and deep understanding of these considerations and will use their experience to discuss these important issues affecting the future of infrastructure investment. Date: 22 May 2012 Venue: Palladium, Crown Towers, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank VIC 3006 Duration: Half Day (12:00pm – 2:00pm) Cost: $130.00 (ABCC Members) / $165.00 (non ABCC Members) Contact: For more information and to register, please click here. NEW SOUTH WALES - Upcoming Events Introduction to Supervision This two day program is designed to introduce supervisors to basic elements of managing their team and ensuring they are aware of and comply with relevant workplace legislation. The program is ideally suited to employees preparing for supervisory roles or newly appointed supervisors that may have little or no formal training. The learning outcomes primarily focus on interpersonal skills required including counselling and feedback as well as managing the performance of individuals. This program is aimed towards supervisors and team leaders who are in a leadership role or who have the potential to move into a leadership position. Date: 17-18 April 2012 Venue: The Holroyd Centre, 17 Miller Street, Merrylands NSW 2160 Duration: 2 Days (9:00am - 4:30pm) Cost: $759.00 (Ai Group members) / $935.00 (non Ai Group members) Contact: For more information and to register, please contact: Fiona Green Training & Events Coordinator (03) 9867 0111 fiona.green@aigroup.asn.au TradeDocs Letters of Credit and Export Documentation Ai Group can help you demystify letters of credit. This one day comprehensive and practical workshop is designed to provide you with a straightforward guide to export documentation. Find out how to comply with your Letter of Credit requirements to improve security of payment, and learn more about the purpose and application of trade terms in order to become a more successful exporter. The benefits Understanding the process involved for Letters of Credit Understanding the complexity of INCOTERMS Improved outcomes for insure and liabilities Improved processes for your shipping documents Preparation of various documents: Certificate of Origin, Carnets, Quarantine documents Greater awareness of trade scams and frauds Publications included: - Incoterms 2010 Wall chart - Comprehensive Workbook Date: 19 April 2012 Venue: 51 Walker Street, North Sydney NSW 2060 Duration: 1 Day (9:00am - 4:30pm) Cost: $517.00 (Ai Group members) / $616.00 (non Ai Group members) Contact: For more information and to register, please contact: Maya Gorelik Team Leader, Victoria Training and Events (03) 9867 0111 maya.gorelik@aigroup.asn.au Australian British Chamber of Commerce – Executive Lunch Michael Fraser is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of AGL Energy Limited, Australia's largest integrated renewable energy company, a role he assumed in October 2007. Join us for lunch with Michael where he will discuss AGL's coal seam gas exploration activities. Michael has more than 25 years energy industry experience including having established AGL as one of the country's largest energy retailers and led the rapid expansion of AGL's upstream energy interests in renewables, thermal power generation and upstream gas exploration and development. Michael's experience includes having been a Director of Queensland Gas Company Limited (QGC), Chairman of Elgas Limited, Chairman of ActewAGL, Director of the Australian Gas Association, Director of the Energy Retailers Association of Australia, Chairman of the NEMMCo Participant's Advisory Committee and a Director of UnitingCare Ageing Board. Michael is currently the Chairman of the Clean Energy Council. Date: 19 April 2012 Venue: Four Seasons Hotel, 199 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Duration: Half Day (12:00pm - 2:00pm) Cost: $145.00 (ABCC Members) / $180.00 (non ABCC Members) Contact: For more information and to register, please click here. Introduction to Supervision This two day program is designed to introduce supervisors to basic elements of managing their team and ensuring they are aware of and comply with relevant workplace legislation. The program is ideally suited to employees preparing for supervisory roles or newly appointed supervisors that may have little or no formal training. The learning outcomes primarily focus on interpersonal skills required including counselling and feedback as well as managing the performance of individuals. This program is aimed towards supervisors and team leaders who are in a leadership role or who have the potential to move into a leadership position. Date: 1-2 May 2012 Venue: Unit 1/ 265 Wharf Road, Newcastle NSW 2300 Duration: 2 Days (9:00am - 4:30pm) Cost: $759.00 (Ai Group members) / $935.00 (non Ai Group members) Contact: For more information and to register, please contact: Fiona Green Training & Events Coordinator (03) 9867 0111 fiona.green@aigroup.asn.au Small Business Advisory Service (SBAS) The objective of the Small Business Advisory Services (SBAS) program is to maximise the growth potential, prosperity and sustainability of small businesses through enhanced access to information and advice on issues important to sustaining and/or growing small business. This program aims to improve the business skills of small business operators and owners. Our Advisor Carolyn Macgill is running workshops in the following New South Wales Region: Albury: 8-9 May 2012 To organise an appointment or discuss her visiting your region please email carolyn.macgill@aigroup.asn.au. Develop and Implement your Strategic Plan This interactive and practical one day workshop provides you with a range of information to solve your business problems, using proven methodologies and business decision-making tools. This workshop covers the key concepts in developing a successful strategic plan including identifying your customer needs and opportunities through to the practical implementation of business strategy within your business. The benefits Improved business strategy and implementation Greater focus and business effectiveness\ Identify and profit from new growth opportunities Increased alignment and optimisation of resources Potential to grow sales and bottom line This workshop is ideal for business executives and managers who either lead or participate in the formulation and implementation of business strategy. Date: 17 May 2012 Venue: 51 Walker Street, North Sydney NSW 2060 Duration: 1 Day (9:00am - 4:30pm) Cost: $517.00 (Ai Group members) / $616.00 (non Ai Group members) Contact: For more information and to register, please contact: Fiona Green Training & Events Coordinator (03) 9867 0199 fiona.green@aigroup.asn.au fiona.green@aigroup.asn.au Africa-Australia Infrastructure Conference 2012 This 2-day event designed for Australian investors and developers aspiring to invest in infrastructure assets in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Conference will also give Industry leaders and Government representatives from Africa a platform to promote infrastructure opportunities in their countries including a wide range of attractive Private Public Partnerships (PPP) and other contractual projects spread across Africa. As many African Governments break-up monopolies on utilities and spearhead privatisation of infrastructure assets across the continent, there is no better time to enter the African infrastructure business space than now. Date: 3-4 September 2012 Venue: Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre Duration: 2 Days Cost: $995.00 (Early Bird Registration - Up to the 31 July 2012) / $1250.00 (From 1 August 2012) Contact: For more information and to register, please click here. QUEENSLAND - Upcoming Events Small Business Advisory Service (SBAS) The objective of the Small Business Advisory Services (SBAS) program is to maximise the growth potential, prosperity and sustainability of small businesses through enhanced access to information and advice on issues important to sustaining and/or growing small business. This program aims to improve the business skills of small business operators and owners. Our Advisor Carolyn Macgill is running workshops in the following Queensland Region Sunshine Coast: 26-27 April 2012 To organise an appointment or discuss her visiting your region please email carolyn.macgill@aigroup.asn.au. TradeDocs Letters of Credit and Export Documentation Ai Group can help you demystify letters of credit. This one day comprehensive and practical workshop is designed to provide you with a straightforward guide to export documentation. Find out how to comply with your Letter of Credit requirements to improve security of payment, and learn more about the purpose and application of trade terms in order to become a more successful exporter. The benefits Understanding the process involved for Letters of Credit Understanding the complexity of INCOTERMS Improved outcomes for insure and liabilities Improved processes for your shipping documents Preparation of various documents: Certificate of Origin, Carnets, Quarantine documents Greater awareness of trade scams and frauds Publications included: - Incoterms 2010 Wall chart - Comprehensive Workbook Date: 3 May 2012 Venue: 202 Boundary Street, Spring Hill QLD 4004 Duration: 1 Day (9:00am – 4:30pm) Cost: $517.00 (Ai Group members) / $616.00 (non Ai Group members) Contact: For more information and to register, please contact: Maya Gorelik Team Leader, Victoria Training and Events (03) 9867 0111 maya.gorelik@aigroup.asn.au Introduction to Supervision This two day program is designed to introduce supervisors to basic elements of managing their team and ensuring they are aware of and comply with relevant workplace legislation. The program is ideally suited to employees preparing for supervisory roles or newly appointed supervisors that may have little or no formal training. The learning outcomes primarily focus on interpersonal skills required including counselling and feedback as well as managing the performance of individuals. This program is aimed towards supervisors and team leaders who are in a leadership role or who have the potential to move into a leadership position. Date: 16-17 May 2012 Venue: 202 Boundary Street, Spring Hill QLD 4004 Duration: 2 Days (9:00am - 4:30pm) Cost: $759.00 (Ai Group members) / $935.00 (non Ai Group members) Contact: For more information and to register, please contact: Fiona Green Training & Events Coordinator (03) 9867 0111 fiona.green@aigroup.asn.au South Australia - Upcoming Events Introduction to Supervision This two day program is designed to introduce supervisors to basic elements of managing their team and ensuring they are aware of and comply with relevant workplace legislation. The program is ideally suited to employees preparing for supervisory roles or newly appointed supervisors that may have little or no formal training. The learning outcomes primarily focus on interpersonal skills required including counselling and feedback as well as managing the performance of individuals. This program is aimed towards supervisors and team leaders who are in a leadership role or who have the potential to move into a leadership position. Date: 9-10 May 2012 Venue: Level 1, 45 Greenhill Road, Wayville SA 5034 Duration: 2 Days (9:00am - 4:30pm) Cost: $759.00 (Ai Group members) / $935.00 (non Ai Group members) Contact: For more information and to register, please contact: Fiona Green Training & Events Coordinator (03) 9867 0111 fiona.green@aigroup.asn.au You received this email from the Australian Industry Group because you have subscribed to the TradeWays email newsletter. Go to the Ai Group website to receive other information services or opt out. Unsubscribe.