At EIBC on Tue 3 Jan, we hosted a networking meeting for delegates from AERI (Automotive Engineering Research Institute)/CATARC (China Automotive Technology & Research Center) to showcase some of Australia's leading technical innovation and capabilities in the automotive industry. CATARC is a centralised science and technical organisation established in Tianjin, China to provide technical support and services to the government and China's rapidly expanding needs in the automotive industry. Leaders and technical experts from Red Lion Engineering, Sassafras Group, ABMARC, GJW Enterprises, Applied EV, Bremar Automotion, SigmaTech showcased their expertise and capabilities that potentially drive future business opportunities with AERI/CATARC.

This afternoon I attended an event hosted by Australia China Business Circle, "In conversation with Alibaba's Australia and NZ CEO Maggie Zhou". In front of a packed audience at a function center in Mulgrave, Maggie Zhou gave a detailed explanation of Alibaba's plan in Australia. There were two points striking a cord for me, 1. Contrast Alibaba to the incoming Amazon, Ali is building an e-platform for Australian brands to reach Chinese customers while Amazon is targeting Australian customers. 2. Maggie Zhou's advice to Australian companies," to reach Chinese customers, you need to have some China literate employees( language, culture and rule book of business in China) to carry out such mission"
There were over 300 people attended the event, this reflected increasing influence of Chinese community in Australia business circle.

Invited to a seminar at La Trobe University to explore the opportunities and benefits created by the North Asia (China, Korea & Japan) Free Trade Agreements. Opportunity to hear directly from The Hon Keith Pitt MP, Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment and others, including Christina Goodman (Trade Commissioner, Austrade Chengdu, China) and other government agencies (DFAT, Austrade, AusIndustry, Efic). Interactive sessions shared some success stories of local businesses that benefited from these FTAs.

The electric bus project going from strength to strength, a write up on Sydney airport BYD bus project.

Attended a Monash Business Award event at Novotel Glen Waverley with Russel Nainie last Wed 14 June. Inspired and enlightened by Nicholas Gruen on 'How to be Strategic when the Future is Unknown'. A prominent Australian economist, commentator on society & innovation, entrepreneur, innovative thinker with a long career in public policy, Nicholas Gruen comes across with some arguably controversial and unusual views which certainly prompted my own conventional thoughts.

Wednesday night Wen Shan and I attended a Gala Dinner & Show hosted by Excellerate Australia, AutoCRC and ASEA to celebrate the achievements and auto excellence of many years in the automotive industry. Fantastic evening engaging with friends and partners, old and new people from the many sectors of the industry while entertained by the humourous James O'Loghlin and the amazing voices and gigs of SUADE. James O'Loghlin's homourous approach and control of the panels was mastery!

I will be one of the panel speakers at Engineer Australia event, The cost of Waste in Manufacturing. looking forward to speak again on cost management related issues again! hope to see you there. https://www.engineer...te-manufacturing

Red Lion Engineering hosted a Certification Workshop and Information Session on Wed 8 Mar 2017 at the EIBC Boardroom. We were privileged to have the guidance of a couple of experts in Carmine Finucci and Frank Cardamone from the Vehicle Safety Standards, Dept of Infrastructure & Regional Development, Canberra. Our audience, mostly made up Chinese OE importers, local vehicle engineering and testing businesses and startups. Carmine and Frank provided our guests with an overview of the vehicle certification processes and shared their insights and experiences. Great opportunity to meet some new people and do some networking!