In a world first, grain handling cooperative CBH CEO Andrew Crane will help advise the Australian government on the agenda for its Group of 20 (G20) economic strategy forum
CBH Group CEO Dr Andrew Crane has been appointed to the B20 group of industry leaders advising the Australian Government on the agenda for the international G20 economic strategy forum to be held next year.
The B20 is a forum through which the private sector produces policy recommendations for the annual G20 meeting of international finance leaders.
The CBH Group is the only participant on the B20 Australia Leadership Group representing the agriculture industry.
It is also the first time a business leader from the co-operative sector has joined a B20 grouping anywhere in the world.
Dr Crane says he is honoured that the Prime Minister Tony Abbott invited the CBH Group to play a role in B20.
“As members of B20 Australia, we will lead business engagement and coordinate the communication of international business priorities to the G20,” Dr Crane says.
“It is so important that the agriculture, agri-business and co-operatives have a voice in this discussion.
“We have a key role to play in advising governments on priorities for our sector,” Crane says.
Dr Crane will join the B20 Committee chaired by Wesfarmers Managing Director and CEO Richard Goyder AO.
“It’s great to have a strong West Australian voice leading these discussions; we have a great opportunity to focus government to government discussion on topics that support trade, engagement and industry growth through advising the G20,” Crane adds.
He says a working group has been set up in the European Commission to produce a roadmap to a co-operative economy as part of an economic diversification and recovery plan.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to share co-operative business ideas to the G20 agenda of promoting growth, creating jobs and building resilience in the global economy,” he says.
The B20 meetings involve a series of discussions and workshops building up to the November G20 Leaders Summit in Brisbane.
This year the B20 will focus on four key policy areas: financial growth, human capital, investment and infrastructure and trade.
The November 2014 G20 Leaders Summit will take place in Brisbane.
G20 leaders meet annually to discuss ways to strengthen the global economy, reform international financial institutions, improve financial regulation, and discuss the key economic reforms that are needed in each of the member countries.
Globally one million co-operatives generate 100 million jobs which is 20 per cent more than multinational companies. The top 300 co-operatives and mutuals have turnover of USD 2 trillion, equivalent to the world’s ninth largest economy.
Australia’s largest co-operative, CBH Co-operative is one of several strong, commercially focused enterprises including global brands like Fonterra, Associated Press and Ocean Spray.
A cooperative of grain growers formed in 1933, CBH Group handles markets and processes grain from the wheatbelt of Western Australia. CBH has a permanent staff of around 1000 and revenue of $1.3 billion per year.