There are many aspects to the Australian export industry with the work of successful Australians in evidence throughout the world.

In a new book titled ‘The Airport Economist’, Tim Harcourt, who is the chief economist of the Australian Trade Commission, proves that there is an export dimension to almost everything and that not all economics writing has to leave you high and dry.

For instance, did you know that Australia is helping Singapore 'be creative' to address its imbalance of ballet dancers to engineers and that there is a Transylvanian Cricket Club full of Aussies in Romania? Did you also know that Israeli youngsters are crazy for Tim Tams and the French are buying Billabong board shorts in Bordeaux on Bastille Day?

The book allows readers to join Tim Harcourt, the airport economist, as he travels the globe in chase of Australian international business success and unravels the economic life of the many countries he visits.

He talks to business leaders, entrepreneurs, workers, government officials, academics, farmers and even a celebrity or two to uncover the world of export beyond economic text books and financial spreadsheets. He even manages to interview Megan Gale in Milan , watch Sachin Tendulkar build an innings in Mumbai and dodge swarms of motorcycles in Asia 's newest tiger, Vietnam , all for the sake of research, of course.

With a clever turn of phrase, witty observations, and links to a wealth of supporting data, The Airport Economist, which has being published by Allen & Unwin, shows how Australian businesses are taking on the world.

Tim Harcourt devises the Australian Trade Commission’s international business strategies and analyses the global economy to help Australian exporters. He is also an active commentator in the Australian and international media on economic and trade issues.

www.theairporteconomist.com