Exporting of Architectural Services to China

Last year a group of members, including Immediate Past President Steve Grieve, participated in a 90 day project working group led by the Department of State Development. The topic of discussion was around opportunities to export design services to China.

The outcome of this initial engagement has been an invitation for me as SA Chapter President to join Premier Weatherill in a 200 strong trade visit to Shandong province in China in late May. Why the Shandong province? South Australia has had a sister state relationship with the province since 1986, read here for more details.

Representing the design sector, we will be opening discussions on opportunities for engagement of design services with a focus on livability, health and aged care. Although many sectors joining the mission have something to trade – in other words they are ‘export ready’ – we are not at that point as yet. These meetings are just the beginning of a conversation.

The conversation will evolve over the next two years, and will involve reciprocal trade delegations from Shandong visiting South Australia as well. It is an excellent opportunity to build relationships and generate business. It ties back to the theme of ‘growing the pie’ for South Australian architects, something I talked about in an article published in the Advertiser recently – read here.

“But how is this relevant to me?” I hear you ask, and it’s a good question. Some of the work that will be done over the next two years will examine what it is that we do well as professionals working in South Australia in order to understand what it is that we might export – again it’s just the beginning.

If you are interested in participating in these conversations or have some thoughts to offer, drop me a line at sa@architecture.com.au It doesn’t matter whether you are a large well established practice, or whether you are a sole practitioner operating from home, there are avenues to explore.