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Media Releases | Submissions |
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Media
Releases
Regional Trade Bloc Plan - 13 November,
2006
A powerful alliance is being forged between regional Victoria
and southern China.
Sunraysia Mallee Economic Development Board
has invited Campaspe and Greater Shepparton Councils to follow
the lead of Mildura, and establish sister relationships with
Chinese cities.
The Mayors and Chief Executives of the three
Councils will participate in a delegation to China later this
month.
Mildura Rural City Council signed a sister city agreement
with the city of Dali in Yunnan Province in June, and is already
exploring trade, along with cultural, education, skill and technology
exchanges.
SMEDB is encouraging Campaspe and Greater Shepparton
to form similar relationships with Lijiang and Shangri-la.
Board
Chairman John Irwin said such a move would have enormous benefits
for all involved, with the potential to form a regional trade
bloc.
“From Mildura’s perspective, having fellow
regional Victorian Councils involved gives more weight to what
we are trying to achieve, both in China and with government and
agencies here,” Mr Irwin said.
“There could also
be an increased profile and presence, along with significant
cost sharing when it comes to the Kunming International Trade
and Commodities Fair.”
It is the fourth largest trade fair
in Asia, attracting trade representatives from nine Asian countries,
with a combined population of 1.5 billion people.
Mildura has
had a presence at the trade fair for the last three years.
Mr
Irwin said this could expand to become an “Australia Street”,
particularly given the presence of major food processing companies
in the Shepparton and Echuca areas.
Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-la
are in the foothills of the Himalayas, and while they are within
three hours of one another, have different geographic and demographic
features.
If the Greater Shepparton City is able to form a relationship
with a city, Mayor Jenny Houlihan said that Council will be seeking
interest from local manufacturers who may be interested in displaying
their products at the Trade Fair.
“The opportunity may
also arise for full fee paying students from China to come and
study in Shepparton.”
“This will further assist our
tertiary education institutes to become stronger and more economically
viable.”
“An opportunity of this type can improve
prospects for our region and we believe that these opportunities
must be considered in this day and age when world trade is a
vital part of any economy.”
Shire of Campaspe Mayor Judi
Lawler said the visit to China and the Yunnan Province was an
exciting opportunity.
"Council has been considering opportunities
and sister city friendships in China for some years, and it is
pleasing that we can all benefit from this joint delegation."
"The
Shire of Campaspe can build on the good work already done by
the Rural City of Mildura and the Sunraysia Mallee Economic Development
Board, which will give the project and the development of our
own sister city friendship a greater chance of success."
Cr
Lawler said that Campaspe understands this visit is the first
step, to build and then develop the relationship with Zhondian,
before business and trade can occur.
The delegation coincides
with the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Dali Autonomous
Prefecture of Bai People on November 22. |
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