BEIJING: In a regional first all eight councils will together host a high-level trade and investment delegation from China.
More than forty Chinese business and civic leaders will attend the Palmerston North based event on September 24 and 25.
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Palmerston North mayor Grant Smith said the event would showcase the the region direct to potential investors.
“The thinking and teamwork behind it is very much in the spirit of our One Region One Team initiative, and we hope that it will be the start of a new era of co-operation across central New Zealand to develop ourselves as an significant provincial economy,” he said.
The delegation includes representatives from the Australian International Trade Association,, and China’s Chamber of Commerce.
The visitors will attend a two-day programme to discuss opportunities and develop relationships with regional leaders.
“This is the first time that we have been able to pull together such a high level investor group to meet face to face with our businesses.
“This is an opportunity for them to attract investment and develop global interest,” Smith said.
The two-day programme includes a formal dinner, investment discussion forum and visits to key agribusiness sites.
“China continues to be an increasingly important and growing economy, and by hosting these delegates we hope to build better business-to-business connections between their investors and our developing businesses,” Smith said.
The Palmerston North meeting is expected to showcase opportunities including those identified in the Manawatu and Whanganui growth study launched in July.
The study identified growth areas in food innovation, sheep and beef farming, manuka honey, fresh vegetables and business process outsourcing, among others.
The event follows an Australasia-China cities summit and business forum in Melbourne on September 23.
The Palmerston North and Rangitikei mayors will address the Melbourne forum which aims to strengthen ties and develop opportunities between China and Australasia.
