CHINA has already shown interest in Eyre Peninsula’s mineral resources but further opportunities have been flagged for the region to take advantage of China’s rapidly growing economy.

Local business people and community leaders have been told not to be disheartened by financial crises in Europe, Britain and the United States because the shift in economic power to Asian countries like China and India will present many opportunities for Australia, in particular Eyre Peninsula.

Speaking at the launch of the Team EP project in Port Lincoln on Tuesday, Australia China Business Council chairman Sean Keenihan said Eyre Peninsula was well placed to take advantage of massive growth in the Chinese economy, but strategic thinking was required.

Mr Keenihan said China was doubling its economy every eight years and it was struggling to rein in growth to its seven per cent target.

To maintain this level of growth he said the Chinese government was investing in increasing its citizens’ standard of living creating a shift away from an export and development led economy to domestic consumption.

There is already a significant amount of Chinese interest in investment on Eyre Peninsula, spurred by a need to secure access to resources, but Mr Keenihan said the opportunities for the region went beyond resources to food exports, tourism and education.

He said Eyre Peninsula was one of South Australia’s most productive regions and already highly export oriented with the key economic drivers – agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, tourism and mining – well matched to China’s emerging and sustained needs.

As China’s population moves off the land into cities and becomes more affluent its demand for resources, food, education and tourism will increase.

Mr Keenihan expects Eyre Peninsula to attract a lot of Chinese delegations keen to learn about sustainable agriculture and aquaculture, but he said lack of land and coastline meant China could never produce enough food to feed its population.

“Food security, like resource security, has become a critical issue for China.”

Mr Keenihan said he was excited about Eyre Peninsula’s future and the opportunities for prosperity, not only for export industries but also the region’s retailers who would benefit from people having more money in their pockets.

Image Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

The TeamEP project, promoting Eyre Peninsula as a great place to live and work, was launched on Monday with business people and community leaders encouraged to contribute ideas.

The project will involve a cross media campaign, a monthly customer service award and hopes to involve people from all over the region.

Businesses can become TeamEP associates for an annual $40 fee.

For more information contact TeamEP.