By Casey Neill
Greater Dandenong businesses could get a leg-up in China through a council-led trip.
The council will co-ordinate networking and business matching sessions with key businesses and industry leaders in its sister city Xuzhou and nearby Nanjing in September.
It’s seeking expressions of interest in the five to seven-day delegation.
“I’d encourage any businesses to put their hand up,” Greater Dandenong business group manager Paul Kearsley said.
He has led recent visits that have highlighted the growing levels of wealth in China and capacity for Chinese business owners to invest privately in foreign investment opportunities.
By 2030, China will have about 1.4 billion middle class consumers, compared to 365 million in the US and 414 million in Western Europe.
The Journal reported in February that Springvale Asian Business Association (SABA) was linking up with Wenzhou Chamber of International Commerce in China and invited Greater Dandenong Council to get involved.
Mr Kearsley accepted an invitation from the chamber to visit with a SABA representative, and SABA recently hosted a Wenzhou representative.
“They spoke eagerly and clearly about wanting to create an economic relationship,” Mr Kearsley said.
He said that on his trip he would see what the city was about and look for opportunities for businesses to visit in the future. Wenzhou could join Xuzhou and Nanjing on the itinerary for September.
The council adopted an International Relations policy last July to help build overseas relationships around economic co-operation and expand economic opportunities for local businesses.
It established a formal sister city relationship with Xuzhou in 1996 and over the past few years has developed a link with the Jiangsu Federation of Industry and Commerce in Nanjing.
It’s hoped the relationships will drive capital and private investment in Greater Dandenong.
Delegation members will pay their own travel expenses.
Email business@cgd.vic.gov.au or call 8571 1571 for more information.
