March 24, 2017
Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) and Food Leaders Australia (FLA) will take Darling Downs and South Burnett businesses to Hong Kong on September 3-7 in an effort to build new trade relationships with the city.
The trip is a follow-up to TSBE’s trade mission to China last year, which was also the first international passenger flight out of Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport.
The Hong Kong flight is expected to leave Wellcamp airport on a Qantas B747-400, subject to government and regulatory approvals.
Food Leaders Australia chief executive officer Dr Ben Lyons said the trip was an extension of the connectivity the region already shared with Hong Kong.
“We have a weekly Tuesday night flight out of Wellcamp that can deliver 136 tonnes of fresh produce and products direct to Hong Kong,” Dr Lyons said.
“This has been a huge economic benefit to our region. Celebrating and growing that connectivity to Asia is one of this year’s drivers.
“This trip is the bridge to Asia, taking our agriculture and food, energy and resources, logistics and education cohorts direct to their future markets.”
An independent report by Strategenics showed delegates expect that over the next few years, last year’s AccessChina trip would result in $350 million extra revenue for their companies.
Other survey results showed 96% of delegates surveyed would recommend the trip to others, and 88% would attend another trip.
TSBE’s AccessHongKong delegation will host up to 250 delegates for a five-day program that includes site tours, a full day conference and gala events.
Feedback from last year’s trip has helped shape the 2017 offering, with a continued focus on business matching, conference speakers, and networking time.
Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio joined last year’s delegation, using the trip to expand the region’s links to Asia and signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Yuecheng city in Zhejiang province.
“The first of its kind, the agreement with Yuecheng, is a starting point for developing a broader relationship with the greater area of Shaoxing,” Mayor Antonio said.
“The agreement outlines that we will foster cooperation in a range of sectors to promote common prosperity and development.
“We have recently invited a delegation from Yuecheng to visit our region and expect to welcome the group here in the coming months. This journey would not have begun without the Access China trip.
TSBE also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hangzhou Chamber of Commerce.
Limited early-bird tickets were first opened to the AccessChina alumni, and are now open for all delegates to join.
Bookings can be made through TSBE’s website.
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