{"id":173538,"date":"2017-03-24T20:00:39","date_gmt":"2017-03-24T10:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=173538"},"modified":"2020-09-20T16:01:10","modified_gmt":"2020-09-20T06:01:10","slug":"trade-delegation-off-to-hong-kong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2017\/03\/24\/trade-delegation-off-to-hong-kong\/","title":{"rendered":"Trade Delegation Off To Hong Kong"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
TSBE executive chairman Shane Charles announces the Hong Kong trade mission to the media in Toowoomba on Friday (Photo: Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Paul<\/a>
Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

March 24, 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The Hong Kong flight is expected to leave Wellcamp airport on a Qantas B747-400, subject to government and regulatory approvals.<\/p>\n

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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“This has been a huge economic benefit to our region. Celebrating and growing that connectivity to Asia is one of this year\u2019s drivers.<\/p>\n

“This trip is the bridge to Asia, taking our agriculture and food, energy and resources, logistics and education cohorts direct to their future markets.”<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Other survey results showed 96% of delegates surveyed would recommend the trip to others, and 88% would attend another trip.<\/p>\n

TSBE\u2019s AccessHongKong delegation will host up to 250 delegates for a five-day program that includes site tours, a full day conference and gala events.<\/p>\n

Feedback from last year\u2019s trip has helped shape the 2017 offering, with a continued focus on business matching, conference speakers, and networking time.<\/p>\n

Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio joined last year\u2019s delegation, using the trip to expand the region\u2019s links to Asia and signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Yuecheng city in Zhejiang province.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“The agreement outlines that we will foster cooperation in a range of sectors to promote common prosperity and development.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

TSBE also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hangzhou Chamber of Commerce.<\/p>\n

Limited early-bird tickets were first opened to the AccessChina alumni, and are now open for all delegates to join.<\/p>\n

Bookings can be made through TSBE’s website<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Related articles:<\/strong><\/p>\n