Cargo

The Australian government is offering funding for businesses with projects that grow agricultural trade cooperation between Australia and China.

The funding is provided under the Australia-China Agricultural Cooperation Agreement (ACACA) program.

Grants of up to $50,000 will be given to foster projects such as technical exchanges, staff secondments, working groups, training programs, research and development, feasibility studies and information exchange.

“It gives businesses the chance to network in China and create new customers over there,” said Australian agriculture minister, David Littleproud.

“Previously, these grants helped grow the market for Australian raisins and sultanas by funding Dried Fruit Australia’s trade mission to China, it helped to establish the Australia-China Sustainable Agricultural Technology Forum in Tasmania and gave funding to the ABC’s Landline program to promote opportunities and benefits under ChAFTA (China-Australia Free Trade Agreement).”

China is an agricultural, fisheries and forestry market worth almost AU$11.5bn (2016/17 data) to Australia. The continuing ACACA is a key part of the country’s bilateral trade relationship with China, which has spanned over three decades so far.

Applications open 13 February 2018 and close on 13 March 2018.