Geelong forging roads into China


Mayor Darryn Lyons hosted delegates of the newly established Victoria-Jiangsu City Alliance, as part of the Victorian Government’s 35th anniversary of Victoria’s sister-state relationship with China’s Jiangsu province.

The alliance seeks to forge stronger relationships with Victoria’s regional centres. The delegates were in Geelong as part of a tour of regional Victoria.

Mayor Lyons welcomed fellow Mayors from various cities in Jiangsu as well as other officials from the Province to Geelong. “Geelong is a city open for business. We have the knowledge, skills, land and infrastructure,” he said. “We are keen to work together with the Province of Jiangsu to establish strong and prosperous relationships and collaborations.”

Cr Bruce Harwood, who holds the portfolio for Enterprise Geelong, said: “As Victoria’s number one trading partner in areas such as food and tourism, and as a base for many international students, we are keen to build stronger ties between Geelong and the Province of Jiangsu.”

In recognition of the importance of China to the Victorian economy, Enterprise Geelong has actively pursued important and strategic alliances with China over many months. This has resulted in the signing of an inter agency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Jiangsu Industrial Overseas Development and Planning Association and the City’s Enterprise Geelong. The MOU was signed at an official function in Melbourne this morning, which was witnessed by Premier Denis Napthine.

Dr Russell Walker, Executive Director of Enterprise Geelong, said: “International engagement is core activity for Enterprise Geelong. The MOU sets out an understanding between the two agencies for information sharing, undertaking specific activities and towards forging collaborations.” “It will allow us to work directly with our counterparts in Jiangsu and start laying the ground work for local businesses to leverage opportunities.”

 

For more information visit City of Greater Geelong