REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SYDNEY -- The leader of the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) Premier Mike Baird today welcomed delegates arriving in Sydney to attend the prestigious Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) conference.

Mr Baird was joined by NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres and BFA Secretary General Zhou Wenzhong at Circular Quay on the iconic Sydney Harbour foreshore.

"NSW is the economic powerhouse of Australia and the NSW Government is keen to work with our regional neighbours to attract greater business and investment," Mr Baird said.

"Our triple-A credit rating and long-standing diplomatic, business and cultural links with Asia place Sydney and NSW in an ideal position to take advantage of opportunities stemming from the recently-signed China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) and Sydney's position as a Renminbi trading hub."

Mr Ayres said the NSW Government was open and ready to do business with Asia.

"Our trade with Asia has more than doubled over the past decade and a recent KPMG report shows NSW attracted 72 per cent of all Chinese investment in Australia in 2014," Mr Ayres said.

"Our financial services and services exports sectors are growing and we will be keen to promote growth in these areas at this week's BFA conference."

Mr Zhou said more than 250 delegates would be attending the Sydney forum to discuss issues facing the region, including infrastructure financing and professional services.

"Regional cooperation has always been one of the BFA's themes. Only by working together can we create a better future and realise sustainable, long-term growth."

The BFA conference will take place on Thursday 30 July and Friday 31 July at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney.

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