Globalisation and an increasingly international perspective in business have resulted in enormous growth in trade in services. During the past two decades, services have grown from approximately 18 per cent of world trade to 23 per cent today.

In most developed countries, the GDP contribution of services is well over 50 per cent. In Australia, 76 per cent of GDP is generated through service-based business activity. (Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics)

Australia's broad professional services sector

The professional services sector is an important contributor to the Australian economy both in terms of employment and improvements to productivity in client industries. The sector includes businesses such as:

• Lawyers
• Accountants
• Management consultants
• Architects
• Town planners
• Engineering consultants
• Environmental consultants
• Recruitment consultants
• Human resource management consultants
• Market researchers
• Retail design and services
• PR and marketing consultants
• Event managers
• Many more.

Many of these service areas are centred in the fastest-growing sectors of the global economy. Australian companies are widely recognised around the world for their best-of-breed capabilities in specific service areas — and Australian businesses are increasingly providing these services to clients in international markets, including Russia.

Business management services

Australia has a strong capability in business management services. This industry has grown dramatically in recent years as more companies outsource business management services in an effort to match world's best practice. Australia's business management services industry (which includes PR consulting, management consulting, marketing management and human resources management consulting services and market research services) generated an estimated A$75 million in exports in 2003–04. (Source: IBIS World)

Important areas of Australian expertise in management consulting include:

• Information technology and software design
• Human resources
• E-commerce
• Strategic planning and restructuring of business processes
• Benchmarking/best practice management
• Public sector reform, including e-government.

The Austrade corporate website offers more information on Australian capabilities in professional services. Alternatively, you can contact the Austrade Russia team for assistance in finding a professional services capability suited to your needs.