Australian Business Forum

18 - 19 February 2009
Parliament House, Melbourne

Presented By

"New Opportunities In A Global Downturn" "US: New President New Direction" "Early Bird Ticket Prices Available " "Australia's Economic Strengths & Opportunities "Asia: The Challenge GBO Forum 18 & 19 Feb 2009. Parliament House, Melbourne. Limited Tickets Available. "Early Bird Ticket Prices Available " "China: Challenges, Opportunities" "India: Enter The New Market"

Resilience in a changing economic climate

Global Business Outlook 2009 brings together industry leaders, government representatives, economists and financial market experts to discuss the pertinent issues facing our global economy. In this volatile economic climate, it is becoming even more important for businesses to be well informed on the latest challenges that face Australian trade, and to have access to the most up-to-date economic forecasts and trends.

Global Business Outlook 2009 provides a forum to access this information, and offers valuable insights through interactive focus groups, panels and keynote presentations. The focus for this forum will be Australia's major trade partners including the Asia Pacific, America and India. Timely issues such as the United States - "New President New Direction" and China - "Exercising Strengths", Australia's "Economic Weaknesses and Strengths", impact of climate change on business and opportunities in a slowing economy will also be featured at this event.

Despite the turbulent global conditions, the Australian economy is robust and well positioned to face the global challenges ahead. Our strong international trade relationships are indicative of Australia's highly skilled workforce and our competitive advantage in financial services, information and communication technology , biotechnologies, environment and energy technologies, manufacturing and design.

It will be crucial for industry leaders to react and respond in a timely manner to current global conditions. This forum will provide relevant information around the challenges facing the Australian and Global economies.

February 18 & 19
Tickets $195 (incl GST) one day
Day 1 includes luncheon USA/Australia
"New President New Direction

Day 2 includes luncheon China/Australia
"Exercising Strengths"

For two days ONLY $350 (incl GST)

The global economic outlook is not looking good by any standards and if the US economy moves into recession this year, world economic growth could slow to just 1.6 percent in 2008. Policymakers are trying to stave off a recession through aggressive monetary and fiscal policy action, but this is unlikely, by itself, to avoid global economic distress. The presence of persistently wide global macroeconomic imbalances complicates such unilateral responses and highlights the urgent need for internationally concerted policy action.


The Hon. Mr. Michael Thurston Consulate-General, USA	The Hon. Mr. Weilian Shen Consulate-General, The PRC	The Hon. Mr. Hasegawa Consulate-General, Japan	The Hon. Ms. Anita Nayar Consulate-General, India	The Hon. Mr. John Lenders Treasurer of Victoria


Tim Harcourt Chief Economist Austrade	Mr. Rowan Callick China Correspondant, The Australian Newspaper	Dr Chris Hom Chair of Unicef Ireland	Graham Noriskin Pitcher Partners	Nicole Bernard CEO China Crest Beijing	Christena Singh Sensis Business Index
Mr. Michiro Hayashi, MD, JETRO Melbourne (Japan External Trade Organization) Andrew Hanlan, Director of Economics Westpac Carl Jetter, Publisher Australia China Connections The Hon. Ken Smith MLA On the local front, the International Monetary Fund warns that with booming coal and iron ore prices creating surge in export income, risks to the growth outlook and inflation are headed towards the upside. Underlying inflation at 4.5 per cent is at the highest annual rate since the start of inflation targeting in the early 1990’s . The forecast is for business investment growth to ease back from its current rate of 7 per cent a year to 4.5 per cent by June 2009. Household wealth and spending also have been undercut by the decline in share prices and softer real estate market. The strong Australian dollar has also had a negative impact on the manufacturing sector. Companies involved in international trade and in particular dealing with China, India, Asia and the United States as well as business across all sectors need to prepare and adapt to the changing economic climate to stay relevant and ahead of the game!

More information...

18 - 19 February 2009 Parliament House, Melbourne

18 - 19 February 2009
Parliament House, Melbourne