Dr LIM - 1995-08-22
I understand that the Central Australian Camel Industry Association made some excellent business contacts during its visit to the United Arab Emirates in June and July of this year. What developments have taken place since the visit?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Indeed, with the financial assistance of the Northern Territory government, representatives of the Central Australian Camel Industry Association travelled to the United Arab Emirates in June and July this year to hold trade discussions. The central Australian camel industry has since issued a report about the results of these discussions which augurs well for the industry's future. Mr Speaker, I table that report from which it is apparent that the group's discussions centred around the markets for racing and non-racing camels, and the promotion of agricultural production-based investment in the Northern Territory.
The group visited the Scientific Centre for Racing Camels, which has 100 dairy cows specifically to provide milk for the racing camels, and the Camel Embryo Transfer Research Centre. The racing camels are fed on honey, dates and other supplements, as well as hay etc. At the research centre, the group was shown the latest calf drop of embryo transfer calves. There were 100 last year and, this year, there are 150 pregnancies yet to calve out. They had their first frozen embryo transfer calf on the ground. One of the cows was worth $US7m, and a bull was worth $US4m. They import surrogate mothers from Pakistan. These are larger animals than are found generally in the racing industry and they have good milk supply. Approximately 300 per year are imported and used specifically for the embryo transfer technique. The Bedouin training camps begin training camels at 18 months of age. They have a lead camel, a mature camel, and 5 or 6 junior camels which are tied together and follow behind. All the junior camels are ridden by children to accustom them to training. From the time the camels are born, their only purpose is to race. Camel racing plays a major role in the quality of life in the United Arab Emirates.
A major achievement of the visit was the signing of a contract and an agency agreement with Scan International for the supply of 10 camels valued at $250 000. After the delegation returned to the Northern Territory, a further order for 50 camels was placed. These will be shipped by the end of the year. The delegates became aware of numerous other export opportunities in the region for a variety of Northern Territory industry sectors. These include: the development of trade in the region, such as by Scan International, in live camels, camel meat and related products; the promotion of investment opportunities in the Northern Territory; markets for the Territory-manufactured side-tipping trailers and products developed by the Centre for Appropriate Technology; the promotion of the Northern Territory as a tourist destination for United Arab Emirates nationals; and technology and expertise transfer in downstream processing of primary produce.
During its visit, the group made many valuable contacts in the region. They will further enhance trade opportunities for the central Australian camel industry. Contact was made also
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with the Austrade Commissioner in Abu Dhabi and with Miss Sue Ward, who recommended participation in the Arab Agri Business '95 Exhibition in October. The UAE is similar to other export markets that have been explored by representatives of Northern Territory industry in that niche opportunities are readily identifiable. However, unlike many other countries in that part of the world, the UAE's oil-based economy provides ready access to funds to pay for trade.
I am pleased to announce that a trade delegation will attend the exhibition to be held in Abu Dhabi from 8 to 12 October this year. Furthermore, I have approved financial assistance from my department, which should cover the fee required for the exhibition space, and the preparation and transport of display materials for the participants. I am advised that an officer from the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, as well as an officer from my own department, will be made available to accompany the delegation. The department will provide support in identifying other participants and assisting with the group's preparations for attending the exhibition. Local industry interest in the business exhibition has been so high that the NT exhibition has been expanded to include the display of a Northern Territory tourism promotion, waterless toilets, side-tipping trailers, fish and prawns, dates, mangoes, arid plants and trees, irrigation equipment, and supplementary feeding and veterinary products for camels. I wish the delegation well in its travels. I am sure that it will further enhance trade opportunities for the Northern Territory.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Indeed, with the financial assistance of the Northern Territory government, representatives of the Central Australian Camel Industry Association travelled to the United Arab Emirates in June and July this year to hold trade discussions. The central Australian camel industry has since issued a report about the results of these discussions which augurs well for the industry's future. Mr Speaker, I table that report from which it is apparent that the group's discussions centred around the markets for racing and non-racing camels, and the promotion of agricultural production-based investment in the Northern Territory.
The group visited the Scientific Centre for Racing Camels, which has 100 dairy cows specifically to provide milk for the racing camels, and the Camel Embryo Transfer Research Centre. The racing camels are fed on honey, dates and other supplements, as well as hay etc. At the research centre, the group was shown the latest calf drop of embryo transfer calves. There were 100 last year and, this year, there are 150 pregnancies yet to calve out. They had their first frozen embryo transfer calf on the ground. One of the cows was worth $US7m, and a bull was worth $US4m. They import surrogate mothers from Pakistan. These are larger animals than are found generally in the racing industry and they have good milk supply. Approximately 300 per year are imported and used specifically for the embryo transfer technique. The Bedouin training camps begin training camels at 18 months of age. They have a lead camel, a mature camel, and 5 or 6 junior camels which are tied together and follow behind. All the junior camels are ridden by children to accustom them to training. From the time the camels are born, their only purpose is to race. Camel racing plays a major role in the quality of life in the United Arab Emirates.
A major achievement of the visit was the signing of a contract and an agency agreement with Scan International for the supply of 10 camels valued at $250 000. After the delegation returned to the Northern Territory, a further order for 50 camels was placed. These will be shipped by the end of the year. The delegates became aware of numerous other export opportunities in the region for a variety of Northern Territory industry sectors. These include: the development of trade in the region, such as by Scan International, in live camels, camel meat and related products; the promotion of investment opportunities in the Northern Territory; markets for the Territory-manufactured side-tipping trailers and products developed by the Centre for Appropriate Technology; the promotion of the Northern Territory as a tourist destination for United Arab Emirates nationals; and technology and expertise transfer in downstream processing of primary produce.
During its visit, the group made many valuable contacts in the region. They will further enhance trade opportunities for the central Australian camel industry. Contact was made also
Page 795
with the Austrade Commissioner in Abu Dhabi and with Miss Sue Ward, who recommended participation in the Arab Agri Business '95 Exhibition in October. The UAE is similar to other export markets that have been explored by representatives of Northern Territory industry in that niche opportunities are readily identifiable. However, unlike many other countries in that part of the world, the UAE's oil-based economy provides ready access to funds to pay for trade.
I am pleased to announce that a trade delegation will attend the exhibition to be held in Abu Dhabi from 8 to 12 October this year. Furthermore, I have approved financial assistance from my department, which should cover the fee required for the exhibition space, and the preparation and transport of display materials for the participants. I am advised that an officer from the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, as well as an officer from my own department, will be made available to accompany the delegation. The department will provide support in identifying other participants and assisting with the group's preparations for attending the exhibition. Local industry interest in the business exhibition has been so high that the NT exhibition has been expanded to include the display of a Northern Territory tourism promotion, waterless toilets, side-tipping trailers, fish and prawns, dates, mangoes, arid plants and trees, irrigation equipment, and supplementary feeding and veterinary products for camels. I wish the delegation well in its travels. I am sure that it will further enhance trade opportunities for the Northern Territory.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016