Baxter meets Australian PM to discuss China free trade

Abbott made what is usually a rare visit to a smaller-sized business, and proceeded to tour the company’s research facilities in Boronia, Victoria, before sitting down to start the discussions.

The talks focused on the importance of the growing trade, business and political relationship between China and Australia that have been highlighted by the recently signed Free Trade Agreement, which has been born out of a period of unprecedented economic growth for China.

Praise from the PM​

The Prime Minister praised Baxter Labs for its “dynamic, expanding Australian manufacturing business,”​ according to executives involved in the meeting, which included Bruno Malepa, head of business development.

The company focuses on the manufacture of scientifically advanced skin care solutions that touch on both the cosmetics category, as well as medicated solutions in pharmaceuticals.

The company has an Australian and international focus, but is now particularly set on the idea of expanding its business into the China market, something it hopes will be boosted by the recent expansion of the Free Trade Agreement.

PM cites benefits of Free Trade Agreement​

“It’s something that I really want to see grow and expand in the months and years ahead and that’s where our free trade agreements are so important,”​ PM Abbott said.

“At the moment Australian pharmaceuticals face tariffs of up to 10 per cent in China and Korea ... under the free trade agreement we’ve negotiated and finalised these tariffs will disappear.​

“So obviously it gives great businesses like this an even better chance to export and grow in our Asian markets.”​

Baxter innovative pipeline​

Baxter Laboratories has been busy of late, launching an innovative natural skin care line targeting Asian skin types, together with an in-vitro skin safety testing method at the end of last year.

The tests are conducted on both human skin cells and immune cells to determine a potential hypoallergenic response and ultimately provide evidence-based information to support and substantiate product claims.

Meanwhile, the skin care line; Fresh Radiance, has been developed on the basis that Asian skin generally has a thicker dermal layer and a higher concentration of collagen and incorporates protection against both sunlight and ageing.