Digital Engagement Strategy

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (14:44): My question is to the Minister for Trade and Investment. Can the minister please update the council on the success of the Department for Trade and Investment's digital engagement strategy in the wake of COVID-19?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade and Investment) (14:45): I thank the honourable member for her ongoing interest in the great work that my department is doing. As members of this council would be aware, my department continues to focus on engaging digitally with businesses both here in South Australia and internationally as the COVID-19 health and safety restrictions have limited travel and face-to-face meetings.

We have undertaken a series of virtual events and webinars to provide in-market updates to exporters, information about the changing face of doing business and promotion of our state's capabilities in our key sectors. I'm pleased to let the council know today about some of our latest digital events that have continued our work in promoting South Australia to the world.

As part of the department's health and medical sector month, DTI partnered with Austrade to help deliver the BIO KOREA 2020 event as well as BIO Digital. Both of these events were previously held as physical business missions, but in the event of COVID-19 travel restrictions both were successfully transitioned into digital events. BIO KOREA is Asia's leading trade event for the global biotech industry and BIO Digital is the global trade event for the industry, which would have been held in San Diego if it were not for COVID-19.

My department had virtual stands in the Australian pavilion for both events. The Department for Trade and Investment attended BIO KOREA with four South Australian businesses and BIO 2020 with eight South Australian businesses. The virtual exhibitions offered businesses the chance to meet with potential investors and attend conference sessions and business forum partnering programs. Early reports from the event indicate that export leads to an estimated value of $1.2 million, with one company reporting a conclusion of a deal worth $90,000.

During the last sitting week, I updated the council on how South Australia's wine industry is engaging with international markets during this time and more specifically the success seen from the department's partnership with the Barossa Grape and Wine Association and three key regional winemakers—Penfolds, Glaetzer Wines and Torbreck Vintners—and their virtual masterclass with influencers and tastemakers in the growing market in Taiwan. I'm pleased to let members know about the department's latest virtual wine exhibition, this time in partnership with the China Association of Imports and Exports of Wine and Spirits (CAWS), and the Consul-General for China in Adelaide.

Ten South Australian wineries participated in the event and a total of 788 visitors tuned in to the event. Feedback from the event has been immensely positive, with South Australian exporters praising the efforts made by the government and the partners. Many samples have been requested as a follow-up to the event, and the office reports that one exporter had an inquiry for a purchase of potentially up to $1 million worth of wine.

A uniquely special part of the event was the support given by international students. The Department for Trade and Investment engaged international students from Adelaide University not only to interpret at the event but to offer cultural guidance to winemakers on their presentations. We have received a great deal of very positive feedback from the winemakers on this particular aspect of the event, saying that the students were an invaluable help and a welcome addition to their teams.

I would also like to offer my thanks to Madam He, the Consul-General of China in Adelaide, for her assistance in pulling this event together. We have a great working relationship, which we continue to develop and foster. I also thank Xiaoya and Joie in the China trade office and Becky and the team here in South Australia for all the hard work in putting together what was a very successful virtual wine event.