ChiefMinister Michael Gunner and Minister for Primary Industry and Resources PaulKirby, will lead a trade and business delegation to China this week to promotethe Northern Territory on the international stage.
The TerritoryGovernment along with the Darwin Major Business Group will host the ReachingSouth to the Territory event in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province.
ReachingSouth will showcase the Northern Territory to business and industryrepresentatives in Shenzhen and present a unique opportunity to connect withkey business leaders and decision-makers in the region.
More than 100Territorians and 150 Chinese delegates will participant in the event whichincludes a trade and investment forum, a pop-up market, showcase dinner anddedicated sector programs.
The ReachingSouth event will match Northern Territory businesses with counterparts andpotential partners from China and include round tables and marketingpromotion on agribusiness, tourism, energy and minerals, education andtraining, tropical health and research, transport freight and logistics.
While inChina, Mr Gunner and Mr Kirby will also meet with key government, business andindustry partners, including Austrade and members from the energy sector.
Following theReaching South event, the Chief Minister and Minister Kirby will return to theTerritory via Singapore where they will meet with government and industryrepresentatives to discuss emerging private investmentopportunities.
Quotesattributed to Chief Minister Michael Gunner:
We know thatincreasing private sector investment creates strong economic growth and morelocal jobs - especially more permanent jobs.
This is whydelegations like this to our biggest trading partner - are so important.
Businesseswill benefit from face-to-face contact with local businesses from Shenzhen,which is a market of around 20 million people.
Thistrip is also an example of how we are utilising the opportunity created bydirect flights between Darwin and mainland China through theTerritory Labor Governments Turbocharging Tourism investment.
Quotes to Minister for Primary Industry and Resources, PaulKirby:
Showcasingthe Northern Territory on the international stage will assist in gainingfurther private investment in the Territory which is a good thing for localjobs.
TheTerritory Labor government supports our agribusiness sector, and its great tosee out produce and innovation on display.
Ourgovernments number one priority is creating jobs and driving investment intothe Territory.
As stated by Chair of the Darwin Major Business Group, IanKew
Therecent introduction of direct flights from Darwin to Shenzhen has furtherstrengthened the good relationship between the Northern Territory and China.
InMay 2018, Donghai Airlines commenced direct flights between Shenzhen andDarwin, increasing connectivity and opportunity for trade, investment andtourism
Sincethe introduction of the direct flight between Shenzhen and Darwin, the numberof Chinese visitors to the Northern Territory has increased by 48 per cent.
Total travel costs for two Ministers andthree staff:
Flights: $17,100
Accommodation: $9,115
