Namoi Unlimited has returned from its successful ‘Namoi to the Ningbo’ Study Tour. The organisation was joined by a delegation of local businesses and exporters on the week-long trip, which included visits to Shanghai, Ningbo and Guangzhou.
Chairperson of Namoi Unlimited and Mayor of Gunnedah Shire Council Jamie Chaffey hailed the trip a success and said, “the tour provided a wonderful platform to showcase regional produce and opportunities from the Namoi.”
The study tour for businesses and exporters is part of the 2018-2021 Trade and Investment Strategy for Namoi Unlimited to;
- Identify opportunities and partnerships for agriculture; agricultural products, commodities, supply and value chains, as well as services.
- Strengthen international relations in the selected markets to open doors to new markets for business.
- Travel overseas to make connections for capital, expertise and market access.
- Build scale and capability of Councils to provide and improve clarity in the investment opportunity, planning processes and responses.
Cr Chaffey said “the study tour included valuable networking, visits to free trade zones and briefings in areas like cross border e-commerce, export opportunities, trade, international education and research.”
A highlight from the trip was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Foreign Affairs Office, Ningbo in Zhejiang Province.
“This is a strategic and important relationship that builds on an MOU we have already signed with the Agricultural Bureau of NingBo,” explains Cr Chaffey.
“This new agreement will allow both parties to explore opportunities for investment and trade in agricultural commodities and services, tourism, renewable energy, transport and logistics.
“The MOU paves the way for future cultural exchanges and training opportunities especially for agricultural production, supply and demand.”
Located in China’s Zhejiang province, Ningbo is home to one of the world’s biggest seaports and is an important centre for trade and economic activity.
Professor Todd Walker, Provost and Deputy Vice Chancellor represented the University of New England on the study tour and congratulated Namoi Unlimited on its leadership and vision.
International education is Australia’s third largest export and China is the second largest market. The new MOU will provide a platform for UNE to explore international collaboration.
”UNE will be exploring teaching and research collaboration with Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo with a view to teach Chinese students agriculture in the Namoi region,” said Professor Walker.
Namoi Unlimited is a Joint Organisation of Gunnedah Shire Council, Gwydir Shire Council, Liverpool Plains Shire Council, Tamworth Regional Council and Walcha Council.
Members work together to coordinate, collaborate, plan and prioritise important projects and initiatives for the benefit of regional NSW.
The intent of the MOU is to establish a direction to work together on:
- The Parties will explore opportunities for investment and exchange feasibility information about industry.
- The Parties will explore opportunities for trade potentially in agricultural commodities and services, education, tourism, renewable energy, transport and logistics.
- The Parties will explore opportunities for cultural and people-to-people exchange.
- The Parties will explore opportunities for exchanges and cooperation in education, science and technology.
- The Parties will explore training opportunities especially for agricultural production, supply and demand.
- The two Parties will keep regular contacts to facilitate consultations on the exchanges and cooperation as well as the matters of common concern.