SPORTS GOODS

OVERSEAS GOODS IMPORTED TO AUSTRALIA

Overseas goods imported to Australia: top 30 origin countries, value, 2008–09

Country of origin

Goods imported

$m %

China 37,043.6 16.9

United States of America 25,334.3 11.5

Japan 17,842.4 8.1

Singapore 13,444.7 6.1

Germany, Federal Republic of 11,106.4 5.1

Thailand 10,749.3 4.9

United Kingdom 9,024.3 4.1

Malaysia 8,335.3 3.8

New Zealand 7,049.6 3.2

Korea, Republic of 6,522.8 3

Italy 5,338.4 2.4

Indonesia 5,038.8 2.3

France 4,653.0 2.1

Vietnam 4,402.4 2

Taiwan 4,089.3 1.9

Papua New Guinea 3,013.1 1.4

Switzerland 2,480.9 1.1

Sweden 2,441.3 1.1

Canada 2,437.2 1.1

Ireland 2,398.5 1.1

India 2,114.2 1
United Arab Emirates 1,923.9 0.9

Netherlands 1,771.1 0.8

Spain 1,731.0 0.8

Belgium 1,718.8 0.8

Hong Kong 1,424.3 0.6

Mexico 1,323.6 0.6

South Africa 1,257.8 0.6

Austria 1,159.5 0.5

Denmark 1,070.3 0.5

Total top 30 198,240.1 90.3

Other 21,242.6 9.7

Total 219,485.3 100.0

Source:  Australian Bureau of Statistics, Foreign Trade (unpublished data)

FACTORS FAVOURING FOR LAUNCHING SPORTS GOODS IN

AUSTRALIA
 Due to continuous structural and policy reforms implemented since the 1970s, Australia
today has a sound, stable and modern institutional and regulatory structure that provides
certainty to business and offers a welcoming destination for investment.
 As part of its ambitious reform agenda, Australia has progressively dismantled or cut
many of its former protectionist tariffs, introduced domestic competition laws,
deregulated its financial market, floated its exchange rate, decentralized its labor market
and credibly ‘anchored’ its macroeconomic policies.
 Australia has lowered barriers to trade and investment and there is substantial
competition across the economy, including in key areas such as the financial, air transport
and telecommunications sectors.
 Since 1970, effective rates of assistance to the manufacturing sector in Australia have
fallen from 35 per cent to less than 5 per cent today. This competitive and innovative
culture has resulted in more people around the world using Australian technology,
expertise and manufactured products in their daily lives.

EXPORTING TO AUSTRALIA
As a global trader, Australia seeks to break down trade barriers by liberalizing international trade
and investment rules. Australia supports foreign investment and promotes two-way trade
between countries.

Since the 1970s, Australia has progressively dismantled or cut many of its former protectionist
tariffs, introduced domestic competition laws, deregulated its financial markets and floated the
exchange rate. There are now substantially lower barriers to trade and investment with Australia.

Internationally, Australia is a strong supporter of the World Trade Organization, is an active

member of the Asia–Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and chairs the Cairns Group of
agricultural exporting nations. Australia also pursues comprehensive bilateral free trade
agreements that are consistent with World Trade Organization rules.

Australia is a founding member of the Pacific Islands Forum, the key regional political
organization in the Pacific. Under a regional agreement, Australia and New Zealand provide (on
a non-reciprocal basis) duty-free and unrestricted access to their markets for raw materials and
manufactured goods from Pacific Islands Forum countries, provided the manufactured goods
comply with a 50 per cent rule of origin requirement.

All exporters to Australia must comply with certain requirements, including customs, quarantine
and labelling.

Two-way trade

Australia’s total two-way trade in goods and services in 2006–07 was valued at $444 billion, or
about 1 per cent of total world trade.

Australia’s exports in 2006–07 were the highest on record, up 10 per cent to $216 billion—about
21 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product. The biggest export sectors were minerals
and fuels, followed by the services, manufactures and rural sectors.

In 2006–07, Australia exported 17 per cent of its goods and services, valued at $36 billion, to
Japan, followed by China (12 per cent, $26 billion), the United States (7 per cent, $15 billion),
the Republic of Korea (7 per cent, $15 billion) and New Zealand (6 per cent, $13 billion).

Australia’s imports rose by 8 per cent to reach $228 billion in 2006–07, with high oil prices and
rising petroleum imports playing a significant role. Imports of consumption goods increased by 9
per cent and service imports by 8 per cent. Imports of capital goods grew by 3 per cent to $41
billion, reflecting strong investment in the Australian economy.

Australia’s largest source of imports in 2006–07 remained the United States, which accounted
for almost 15 per cent or almost $33 billion of imports, followed by China (13 per cent, valued at
$28 billion), Japan (9 per cent, $19 billion), Singapore (6 per cent, $14 billion), the United
Kingdom (5 per cent, $11 billion) and India (1percent).

Trading arrangements

Australia pursues its trade relationships, promoting both imports and exports, through
multilateral, regional and bilateral arrangements.

Multilateral trading arrangements

Australia is a strong supporter of the World Trade Organization and the Cairns Group of
agricultural exporting countries, which it chairs. A robust multilateral trading system is the most
effective way of providing exporters with increased access to world markets including Australia
for their products and services.

Free trade agreements

Australia is pursuing free trade agreements that are comprehensive and consistent with World
Trade Organization rules as a way of improving its access to the markets of key and emerging
trading partners; building closer economic and strategic ties with those countries; and promoting
global trade liberalization and reform.

Australia has finalized comprehensive agreements with four of its 10 largest trading partners
New Zealand (since 1983), Singapore (since 2003) and the United States and Thailand (since
2005). Negotiations are also currently under way with the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (jointly with New Zealand), China, the Gulf Cooperation Council, Malaysia and Japan.
Australia is holding preparatory free trade agreement talks with Chile and joint studies with the
Republic of Korea and Mexico.

Financial services
Following the structural and policy reforms that began in the 1970s, Australia today has a sound,
stable and modern institutional and regulatory structure that provides certainty to business and
offers a welcoming destination for investment.

Australia is a major regional financial centre, with a sophisticated financial system and
transparent markets. The depth, liquidity and sophistication of Australia’s markets underpin
Australia’s strength as a global financial services centre.

Australia is also an attractive location for international companies wanting to establish a regional
base to take advantage of the growing business opportunities in the Asia–Pacific region and to
enter Australia’s highly developed domestic market.

Foreign investment

Australia welcomes foreign investment. It recognises the important role foreign investment plays
in boosting economic growth, developing competitive industries, creating jobs and increasing
exports. Total foreign investment in Australia in June 2007 (portfolio, direct, financial
derivatives and other investment) was $1.6 trillion.

The Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research promotes Australia as a

competitive investment location. With investment specialists in key locations worldwide, it
offers a range of services to potential investors, including providing expert advice on Australia’s
industry capabilities and strengths, arranging site visits and linking businesses with potential
investment or research partners.

Australia’s import requirements

All goods imported into Australia must comply with customs, quarantine and labelling
requirements.

Customs

Goods entering Australia must be cleared by the Australian Customs Service. Depending on the
type and value of the goods or products, there may be costs involved, including clearance fees,
customs duty, goods and services tax and other taxes. The Australian Customs Service website
(www.customs.gov.au) provides general advice on clearance requirements. It also provides
listings of prohibited goods, which cannot be imported into Australia under any circumstances,
and restricted goods, which require written permission for importation. The Customs Information
and Support Centre can provide advice and information on specific queries. The centre can be
contacted on 1300 363 263 or by email at information@customs.gov.au.

Quarantine

Managing the risk to Australia of unwanted pests and disease is essential for the conservation of
the nation’s plants, animals and agricultural industries. Australia’s quarantine measures are
among the most stringent in the world. Designated products must be inspected and, where
appropriate, treated by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) for pests or
diseases.

Quarantine conditions applying to the importation of specific products are detailed in the AQIS
Import Conditions database, known as ICON. Some products have been assessed as posing
significant risk and are not allowed to enter Australia. Other products are only allowed into
Australia on the granting of an import permit from AQIS.

The first step is to check the ICON database, which can be accessed through the AQIS website
(www.aqis.gov.au). Information on specific issues is available from AQIS on 1800 020 504.

Labeling

The Australian Trade Practices Act prohibits the making of certain false and misleading
representations, including on labels. In some circumstances, the law requires that labels provide
certain specific information to consumers.

The Act also prohibits businesses from making false or misleading claims about the place of
origin of goods. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission country of origin
website (www.accc.gov.au) provides information on country of origin labelling and regulations
governing the ‘Australian Made’ logo. Information on specific issues is available from the
commission on 1300 302 021.

Some categories of goods (such as food and pharmaceutical products and agricultural and
veterinary chemicals) are subject to separate, detailed labelling provisions.
 SPORTS EVENTS

Australia boasts some of the world’s most magnificent sporting venues and has hosted many
international events, including two Olympic Games.

Major fixtures on the international sporting calendar in Australia now include a grand slam
tennis open, one of the world’s great horse races, and grand prix for motorcycles and racing cars.
Australian sports events are held at high quality venues where fans can support their teams in an
enjoyable, safe and friendly environment.

Background

Australians have always loved sport and have generally excelled at it. Even before federation in
1901, ‘Australia’ was competing internationally as a nation. Despite its relatively small
population, Australia has produced world champions in many sports, including cricket, rugby
union, women’s basketball, rowing, boxing, netball, field hockey, swimming and skiing. Around
6.5 million Australians are registered as sports participants.

Australia has more than 120 national sporting organizations and thousands of local, regional and
state sports bodies. It regularly hosts international events and Australian athletes compete in
events all over the world.

Olympics

Australia has twice hosted the Olympic Games, in Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000. In
Melbourne 67 nations and more than 3000 athletes competed in the Games. Over 1.3 million
tickets were sold to the public during the event and 110 000 tickets were sold overseas.

Sydney’s Homebush Bay was redeveloped for the 2000 Games, followed by the Paralympic
Games. Both were a great success, with 10 651 athletes competing in 300 events, supported by
16 033 volunteers. The Games were logistically well organised, safe and incident-free, and
International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch described the Sydney
Olympics as ‘the best ever’.
Commonwealth Games

In 2006, Melbourne hosted the 18th Commonwealth Games involving 71 nations. Previous

Australian host cities were Brisbane in 1982, Perth in 1962, and Sydney in 1938. The 2006
Commonwealth Games were called ‘the friendliest games yet’. They were a massive success,
with an all-time high in ticket sales of 1.6 million and a global television audience of 1.5 billion.

Tennis

The Australian Tennis Open, which runs over two weeks at Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park
in January each year, is the first of the four international grand slam tennis events held each year.
The Australian Open attracts the world’s best tennis players and more than 550 000 spectators
during the fortnight, making it the highest attended annual sporting event in Australia.
Melbourne Park, home of the Australian Open, boasts 5 courts. The Rod Laver Arena, named for
one of Australia’s most famous tennis champions, has a capacity of nearly 15 000 and has a
retractable roof. The second largest court is Vodafone Arena, which opened in 2000, has a
capacity of 10 500 and also has a retractable roof. There are also three show courts.

Cricket

Australia has staged the Cricket World Cup on several occasions, last holding it in 1992 at the
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). On that occasion, nine international teams played 39
matches. Australia also stages one-day international cricket tri-nations tournaments with finals at
the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and the MCG.

Grand Prix

The Formula 1 ING Australian Grand Prix is the country’s premier car racing event on the
international circuit and is held at Albert Park in Melbourne, attracting crowds of more than 300
000. The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix is part of the Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It
is held each year at the scenic Phillip Island GP Circuit.

Other Events like :

 Golf
 Netball
 Rip Curl Pro
 Rugby Union
 Rugby League
 Swimming
 Australian football
 Basketball
 Soccer
 Horse racing
 CONCLUSION

Perhaps the most efficient way of evaluating Australia is to consider key dimensions which
themselves are composites of multiple factors. Composite portfolio approaches have long been
used by strategic planners. The biggest challenge in this approach is to choose the appropriate
factors that are the most relevant to international planning.

The two measures of greatest relevance to sporting goods are:

 Latent demand
 Market accessibility

Latent Demand and Accessibility in Australia. Latent demand is largely driven by economic
fundamentals specific to sporting goods. Countries of high latent demand and high relative
accessibility (e.g. easier entry for one firm compared to other firms) are given highest priority.
Accessibility is defined as a firm’s ease of entering or supplying from or to a market (the “supply
side”), and latent demand is an indicator of the potential in serving from or to the market (the
“demand side”).

From the above study we can observe that there are sports goods in Australia due to the diverse
sports that are played by the people of Australia and there are so many events that are organized
every year for appreciating sports in the country. Also the government is welcoming the new
entrants and for India, there is a council which has been formed named The Australia India
Business Council (AIBC) is a national NGO and is recognized by the Australian government as
the peak body for promoting business links between Australia and India. The AIBC is the first
point of contact by government and business representatives from both countries seeking access
to industry, business and government leaders of both countries. This is an opportunity for
launching the product in Australia as there are so many bodies have been formed which would
help a person launching a product.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Source: Internet

 http://www.oesr.qld.gov.au/publications/tables/economic-performance/top-30-imports-
exports/goods-imported-aus-top30-origin/index.shtml
 http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/exporting_to_aust.html
 http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/sporting_events.html
 http://www.dfat.gov.au/aic/index.html
 http://www.sportsgoodsindia.org/UpLoadFiles/Circulars/98353216th%20Nov
%202009.pdf