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Delegation Marks Ten Years Of International Relations With ChinaA Latrobe City led business delegation travelling overseas to assist local businesses to ascertain business opportunities in China will mark ten years of the international relationship between Latrobe and Taizhou. By Latrobe City - 8th May 2007 - Back to News Latrobe City’s acting manager economic development, Leo Billington, said it was ten years ago, in May 1997, that the first Taizhou delegation visited Latrobe and commenced formalising the sister-city relationship.
Mr Billington said the May 2007 business delegation is an appropriate way to acknowledge the anniversary of the occasion.
"The group, consisting of nine businesses and five council officials, will visit Shanghai and Taizhou, meeting with business leaders and local government officials," Mr Billington explained.
"In Taizhou, Latrobe’s sister city, the delegation will visit businesses of similar backgrounds. While in Shanghai, a visit has been arranged to meet the chief representative, North Asia Victorian Government Business Office."
According to Mr Billington, the local businesses participating in the delegation have embraced the opportunity provided to learn more about the business links with China and cultural differences between Australia and China.
"Each business representative has paid their own way and will experience the hospitality and close relationship forged by our sister city work over the past ten years," Mr Billington said.
"Over six months ago, the idea for this trip was first discussed. In January this year, various businesses responded to an open invitation seeking expressions of interest. Since then, there has been substantial time spent organising business visits and confirming our appointment in Shanghai.
"There is an excellent mix of businesses going on this trip. Local businesses covering building design and drafting, municipal planning, irrigation equipment, education, healthcare, retailing, public transport equipment and timber products are all represented. Within these areas exists a huge wealth of experience and expertise.
"In preparation for the visit, a cultural session was conducted to provide some exposure to Chinese language and food. There was also an information evening whereby government business assistance services were outlined in the likelihood of overseas markets being targeted in the future by any of the participating businesses."
The business delegation leaves Melbourne on 8 May and will be in China for one week.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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