By Casey Neill
Greater Dandenong businesses could tap into opportunities in southern China with help from the council.
Greater Dandenong business group manager Paul Kearsley visited Wenzhou in March alongside representatives from the Springvale Asian Business Association (SABA).
The trip was at the invitation of the Wenzhou Chamber of International Commerce and Mr Kearsley aimed to get further information and understanding about opportunities available in the region.
He considered adding Wenzhou to the itinerary for a council-led business delegation to China scheduled for September.
The Monday 22 May council meeting heard that Mr Kearsley thought it would be valuable, but the trip was already scheduled for seven days and likely delegates weren’t willing to take any more time away from their businesses.
Mr Kearsley suggested there could instead be a further trip to the southern part of China next year, including Wenzhou, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, subject to further review and research.
On his March trip he visited the Lucheng District in Wenzhou, which is undergoing redevelopment, and met representatives from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the Wenzhou Foreign and Overseas Office.
Mr Kearsley also inspected the Wenzhou-Longwan District Hi Tech Development Zone, several businesses and the Linkengcun Tourist Village.
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.
