MAY 5, 2017: I encourage business owners to seize the opportunity to gather firsthand information on trade opportunities from the experts at a seminar for small to medium sized businesses in Mackay next week.Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Keith Pitt will host the seminar for those who want to discover how Australia's Free Trade Agreements with China, Japan and Korea can benefit them.The free event will be held on Friday, May 12 at the Mackay Grande Suites, Flinders Room, 9 Gregory Street, Mackay from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.There are businesses in the region reaping the benefits of the free trade deals which are now in place with our Asian neighbours and I would love to see others explore the options available.Whether you operate a mining equipment business or you’re a niche food producer, a seminar like this being held right here in Mackay provides an opportunity for you to get all your questions answered.Assistant Minister Pitt is also encouraging business owners to register.“Australia’s North Asia FTAs had secured unprecedented access to more than a billion potential customers for Australian goods and services in China, Japan and Korea,” Mr Pitt said.“These agreements have delivered increased exports and new opportunities for Australia in three of the Asian region’s key economies and laid the foundation for stronger flows of two-way investment.”Seminars are being held nationwide to build awareness of Australia’s North Asia FTAs and ensure they yield their full business potential.Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear direct from officials from Austrade, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, AusIndustry, and the export credit agency Efic.Attendees can register for the Mackay seminar at www.austrade.gov.au/ftaseminars or find out more information by calling Austrade on 13 28 78 or emailing fta@austrade.gov.au