Australian financial services companies will have an opportunity to access Asian investors at the fifth Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong in mid-January.
The forum will bring together around 2,000 business and government leaders from around the world, including a business mission of Australian delegates, according to the Australian mission leader David Thomas from Think Global Consulting.
Speaking at an Asian Financial Forum boardroom luncheon in Sydney, Thomas said the conference would provide opportunities for Australian financial services delegates to tap into Asian investors including venture capital companies, high net worth individuals and state-owned Chinese investment companies.
Delegates will be able to check the database of delegates and organise one-on-one meetings with the types of individuals or companies they are targeting, he said.
There will also be a ‘deal maker’ session which Thomas equated to a speed dating session, where delegates are ‘rotated’ and have about 20 minutes with potential investors to sound them out.
Thomas said the conference would suit three different kinds of Australian financial services delegates: those looking to raise money from Chinese investors, companies or individuals for Australian projects including clean-tech, biotech, other technologies, property and agriculture; those looking to develop businesses in Asia and seeking potential customers, clients, business partners, and relationships on the ground; and those looking to do some research, refine strategies and develop local knowledge.
He said one of the success stories from the 2011 conference was APIR Systems. APIR managing director Andy Hutchings Broso confirmed that conference had helped him to understand the regional nature of the Asian market and gave him the confidence to take the business overseas.
The conference program will discuss growth opportunities and challenges in the Asia-Pacific region, including issues such as global investment prospects, China opportunities, Japan’s reconstruction and green growth initiatives. It takes place on 16-17 January 2012.
