Country mayors should be high-tailing it to Asia attract more investment opportunities to regional Australia.
Regional Australia Institute chief executive Jack Archer said it was important rural local councils did more to engage with Asia directly because agencies like Austrade didn't have enough resources to represent particular regions.
"We've got great produce, we're clean and green, but so are lot of other countries," Mr Archer told AAP.
"It's going to take a real proactive effort to make sure the opportunities come to Australia."
Some rural mayors were doing a good job, but a sophisticated strategy was needed to help others get the right resources and build the confidence needed to engage with Asian businesses, Mr Archer said.
A forum in Canberra on Friday, called Can Regional Australia Make It In Asia?, will examine ways rural towns can tap into agriculture and tourism opportunities stemming from Asia's growing middle class and a dining boom.
Tamworth Mayor Col Murray will address the forum, detailing his experiences in China promoting agriculture and investment opportunities from his NSW region.
Mr Archer said the Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise was a great example of a regional organisation set up by local governments building good relations with China.
He played down the concerns of some regional areas about Chinese investors buying Australian farmland at premium prices.
"It's pretty clear those regions need investment to build jobs and make those places more successful," Mr Archer said.
Meanwhile, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is championing the China free trade agreement, saying it will be a lifeline to regional Australia.
"Small businesses, workers and regional towns will pay a big price if we let this chance slip," chief executive Kate Carnell said in an opinion piece for Huffington Post.
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