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Investment, Garden Project And Art On Sister City AgendaInvestment discussions, planning for an indigenous garden as part of a multi-million dollar development currently under construction in Taizhou, By Latrobe City Council - 25th June 2009 - Back to News And furthering ideas for an artist exchange are among items on the agenda for a small delegation from Latrobe City to China and Japan being undertaken in September.
The delegation will visit Latrobe’s sister cities of Taizhou in China and Takasago in Japan; as well as meet with business and government representatives at the Victorian Government Business Office (VGBO) in Tokyo and Shanghai and the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) offices in Beijing.
Latrobe City mayor Cr Lisa Price will lead the delegation, accompanied by council’s chief executive officer Paul Buckley, and three council officers from the economic development and international relations departments.
Cr Price said the predominant purpose of the impending visit to Latrobe’s sister cities is to pursue economic, educational and cultural opportunities, and to further develop the sister city relationships.
"The level of interest in Latrobe City as an international investment location and exporter of product and education has continued to increase over the past 12 months. This interest, largely from Japanese and Chinese firms is generally related to coal derivatives and energy projects and is expected to continue to build as the global community works to address the challenges of emission reduction imperatives," Cr Price said.
"Response to this sustained interest has been reactive to date, with council’s economic sustainability officers responding to requests for information, and upon request, facilitating visits to the City by international business delegations. Recent examples of these delegations include representation from a number of companies from Japan and China.
"Invest Victoria representatives recently reported that of the approximately 20 major project opportunities held at that time by the Victorian Government Business Office (VGBO) in Tokyo all related to Latrobe Valley brown coal. Invest Victoria considered that a more proactive approach by council, via a series of meetings within the country, would be of value in progressing these opportunities. The Shanghai VGBO is also dealing with a number of companies looking to invest In Latrobe City," Cr Price said.
"Opportunities also exist to strengthen existing relationships between international companies already with a stake in the Latrobe City business community. These include Nippon Paper, the new owners of the Maryvale Paper Mill, and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) which has an interest in Loy Yang Power."
Cr Price said the delegation has also been invited to the opening of the Taizhou International Gardens project.
"The City of Taizhou has allocated 105 hectares to develop a precinct which will include a convention and exhibition centre, a five star accommodation venue, and a variety of performance spaces and other civic facilities. The centrepiece of the development is a man-made lake, islands and gardens. The total cost of this project is $A135 million. Construction has commenced and the official opening is scheduled for 12 September 2009.
"Apart from being officially invited to the opening of the gardens, Latrobe City has also been invited to design and erect a garden space reflective of our region to commemorate ten years of our sister city relationship. It is not an expectation that this component of the garden will be ready for the opening in September. However, it is intended that the visit to Taizhou at this time will provide an opportunity for Latrobe City to study the site to better understand the landscape in order to commence design of the Latrobe City component. The City of Taizhou has indicated that they would like to reciprocate this gesture with the establishment of a Chinese garden at a location within Latrobe City in 2010," Cr Price explained.
"The delegation will also talk with Takasago council officials and interact with the Takasago arts community to further a proposed arts innovation project. The proposal envisages that six to eight young artists from Latrobe visit Takasago in 2010 participating as part of a travelling exhibition, artist in residency and art exchange. This would be an exciting opportunity for Latrobe’s young artists Cr Price said.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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