General Discussions, page-20871

Yes, totally agree with you that they were not there just for photo opportunities. Also agree with the notion that a key motivation for the Japanese would be to develop supply chains that are not reliant on China.

About the bank that the SA state minister met with: Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).



https://www.jbic.go.jp/ja/about/role-function/images/jbic-brochure-english.pdf

It is not the Bank of Japan but is a Japanese government vehicle with the explicit remit of securing resources that are important for Japan.

Here is the pollie's media release about the trade mission to Singapore and Japan so a broad sweep of sectors to be covered .

https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases/news-items/trade-mission-to-open-doors-in-key-asian-markets

However one of the headline events for the trade mission is this expo for hydrogen fuel cells

https://www.wsew.jp/hub/en-gb/about/fc.html

And of course everyone knows that high quality graphite is essential not only for lithium cell batteries but also for hydrogen fuel cells.

https://www.innovationnewsnetwork.com/graphite-hydrogen-fuel-cell-technologies/26736/

A trade minister does not lead these jaunts for PR alone, their success is gauged by deals done (both in numbers and in dollars). As it happens the same politician went to Japan with the SA Premier only in October last year, so he is certainly putting in the hard yards there (even in his Lowes suit coat).

https://dti.sa.gov.au/articles/overseas-mission-to-strengthen-important-ties-japan-south-korea

Hanwa already has an indicative deal for 25% of Siviour's first stage production. Would be nice if Hanwa not only converted the offtake deal into a binding one but also delivered an upfront prepayment and / or a debt facility from the Japanese government's overseas financing vehicle. Two enormous birds with one stone: funding and offtakes!

Finally, a glimmer of tangible progress. Well done to the Renascor team.