Dominic Trindade, general manager at the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), has highlighted the role of private businesses in using artificial intelligence (AI) to expand global supply chain cooperation.
In an interview during the fourth China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), which opened in Beijing on Monday with Australia debuting as a guest of honor, Trindade shared his insights with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on what new opportunities Australian businesses are looking to tap into at the event.
Trindade described the growing attention on AI as a natural evolution driven by private-sector innovation.
"If we look at how the world has developed supply chains and how sectors have developed, particularly in relation to the use of AI technology, that's been driven by business. So, what we're interested in here is and seeing is how do those businesses, global businesses, including Australian businesses, seek to use AI to make their businesses more efficient, more productive and also to bring benefit to their economies, the societies that support them," the Austrade leader said.
He also praised China's rapid advancements in high-quality development, emphasizing that the progress is not limited to government initiatives but also springs from exchanges among businesses.
"China has clearly taken a huge range of advancements and not just government-led ones, but by those businesses, leading Chinese businesses that have developed technologies, including around AI, but also how AI is used right through the global supply chain. And that's the bit that I'm trying to pick up here to say that there are conversations that governments have, but there are also critically important conversations that businesses should be having," he said.
Looking ahead, Trindade struck an optimistic tone about the trajectory of China-Australia trade ties, identifying future opportunities in sectors where Australian innovation capacity can align with Chinese industrial demand.
"The history shows that China and Australia trade has been growing year on year. And the longer-term trend of it has been so strong. As you probably know, China is Australia's largest trading partner by a significant margin. Australia is also an important trading partner for China, as a source of resources and food and many of the things that are industrial inputs for China's production, but also services exports. Looking forward, there are going to be opportunities there where Australian business and Australian institutions can bring innovation, capability," Trindade said.
As the world's first national-level exhibition focusing on supply chains, the China International Supply Chain Expo is an internationally shared public good. First held in 2023, the expo has contributed to building more secure, stable, open and inclusive global industrial and supply chains.
Running through Friday, this year's event has drawn 676 exhibitors from 85 countries, regions and international organizations. For the first time, this year's edition features a dedicated AI zone.
Austrade chief highlights businesses' role in global AI cooperation
