Signed by 15 nations in November 2020, including China, Australia and Singapore, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is the largest Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in history. The agreement is expected to add US$186 billion to the global economy and according to the Sydney Morning Herald, Australia can build new markets for universities, financial service providers, superannuation firms, health, and aged care sectors. Under the FTA, tariffs will be eliminated on 92% of goods by 2050, and with 75% of Australia's trading markets covered by RCEP, this represents preferential access to 3.35 billion customers.

Featuring keynote speaker Prof. James Laurenceson followed by a panel discussion, this sundowner will highlight the importance of the RCEP which motivates more investment through the China+ strategy to lower cost and risks for those entering the Asian markets. Co-hosted by ACBC WA, WASBC and CCCA (Perth Branch), join us at this networking event to learn more about the agreement.

Event details:

Date: Thursday 26th May 2022

Time: 5:45pm for a 6:00pm start, including drinks and refreshments, concluding at 8:00pm (AWST)

Location: Base @ FLUX, 191 St Georges Tce, Perth WA 6000

Tickets: $20.00 for members of ACBC, CCCA or WASBC; $40.00 for non-members

Keynote Speaker (virtual appearance via Zoom)

Professor James Laurenceson, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at UTS

James has previously held appointments at the University of Queensland (Australia), Shandong University (China) and Shimonoseki City University (Japan). He was President of the Chinese Economics Society of Australia from 2012-2014.

His academic research has been published in leading scholarly journals including China Economic Review and China Economic Journal.

Professor Laurenceson also provides regular commentary on contemporary developments in China’s economy and the Australia-China economic relationship. His opinion pieces have appeared in Australian Financial Review, The Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, South China Morning Post, amongst many others.

Panelists

Sally Dawkins, WA State Director at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Sally Dawkins commenced as Director in January 2022. In this role Sally leads the Department's engagement with its diverse stakeholders in Western Australia, including government, business, academia and the community sector.

Sally has served overseas with the Department in Geneva (United Nations), Paris, West Africa and most recently in Ankara, as Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Turkey. In Canberra, Sally has worked on a number of initiatives to support Australian businesses overseas, including the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, the Africa Down Under mining conference, and the Shanghai World Trade Expo. She has also worked as an Adviser to the Minister for International Development and the Pacific.

In 2017-19, Sally managed government relations and social investment for Newcrest Mining in Papua New Guinea, based in Port Moresby. In this role she sat as a Director of Newcrest’s subsidiary corporations, and represented Newcrest at the PNG Chamber of Mines & Petroleum.

Sally graduated with Honours in Bachelors of Laws and Arts from the University of Western Australia, and is an admitted solicitor. She speaks fluent French.

Dr David Sun, President of the China Chamber of Commerce in Australia (Perth Branch)

David was appointed Managing Director of Sinosteel Australia in 2013. Prior to this appointment he held the position of Deputy General Manager being responsible for managing the Channar Mining Joint Venture with Rio Tinto.

David has a Bachelor of Economics from Nanjing University of Science and Technology, a Master of Management from Tianjin University of Commerce and a PhD in Economics from the China Academy of Social Sciences.

In 2013 David became the President of the China Chamber of Commerce in Australia (Perth Branch) and currently is a member of the Curtin Business School Advisory Council.

Terrence Cheong, President of WA-Singapore Business Council and Board Member of ASEAN Business Alliance

Terrence is the Founding President of WA-Singapore Business Council and Board Member of the ASEAN Business Alliance. He is passionate about developing a strong business community in Western Australia and forging strong links with Singapore to create opportunities for businesses in both cities.

Terrence, who is a FCPA, Fellow Singapore Chartered Accountant and ASEAN Chartered Professional Accountant, is the Managing Director of Strategic Integrative Accountants, an multi-award winning CPA firm providing audit and assurance, accounting and taxation, and advisory and consulting services primarily to the small to medium businesses sector. As a Past WA Divisional President at CPA Australia, he currently serves on the Public Practice Advisory Committee at CPA Australia.

James Clarke, President of ACBC WA

James is a National Director of the Australia China Business Council and President of its WA Branch. James also holds numerous board positions and has started and sold businesses dealing between Australia and China. A bilingual English – Mandarin speaker with in-depth China knowledge and experience, James' experience is heavily weighted towards promoting business, trade and cultural exchange between Australia and China. James is considered an Australian KOL in the Chinese market and is also a recipient of the eminent Business News 40under40 Awards.

Moderator: Dr Sandy Chong, Chair of ASEAN Business Alliance

A Harvard alumna, Adjunct Professor and Principal of Verity Consulting, Dr Sandy Chong is the winner of Stevie® International Business Awards for Executive of the Year, Asia's Top Sustainability Women of the Year, and Singapore Management Consultant of the Year. A strong advocate of international trade and economic empowerment as pathways to peace and security, Sandy is the first Asian to be elected as the President of the United Nations Association of WA and is the Founding Chair of the ASEAN Business Alliance to promote trade and investment between WA and the ASEAN region.

In addition to serving on ASX-listed board and industry councils, Sandy has advised trade agencies and international MNCs such as American Express, Yahoo!, and Apple on international growth, strategic communication, and sustainability.

She was awarded the Australia Community Citizen of the Year by the Governor of WA in 2020 and is appointed the Auspire Ambassador for the Australia Day Council. Her work can be found in peer-reviewed journals on International Business, Digital Commerce and Strategic Alliance since 2005, and she has delivered keynotes at the Harvard Business School, United Nations, and Women Economic Forum.

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