Business Spin-Offs From Newcastle Links
Business Spin-Offs From Newcastle Links Growing
A recently-signed agreement between the cities of Manukau and Newcastle in New South Wales has already resulted in a quarter of a million dollars in new orders for Manukau businesses.
A delegation led by Sir Barry Curtis flew to Newcastle in August. The aim of the visit was to open doors, expand existing relationships and sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the two cities which commits them to building closer business connections and expanding economic co-operation.
The delegation included business people all of whom successfully established contacts in the Newcastle/Hunter Valley areas. Many have already had sales as a result. They include a Manukau printing company that's won new contracts and Ullrich Aluminium of Wiri, which is expanding its aluminium products business across the Tasman.
In addition it was decided as a result of the visit that the Trans Tasman Masters Games will be held in the Auckland region, including Manukau, in 2004. The Games are a new event with the first being held in the Hunter region next year.
Masters athletics is a growing in popularity world-wide and the Trans Tasman event will involve 45 sports. It is expected to attract large numbers of athletes from Australia and bring millions of dollars to Manukau. It will be one of two large sports events for older athletes in the Auckland region that year, the other being the World Masters Non-Stadia Championships, bringing with it 3000 competitors.
Mayor Sir Barry Curtis says, "Our new relationship with Newcastle is succeeding faster than I expected. At least two large Australian companies are now considering moving here and that will mean jobs and economic investment.
"There are lots of opportunities in the Newcastle area we can benefit from, and vice versa. For Australian companies, Manukau has many advantages such as lower production costs, no restrictive labour practices and a healthy exchange rate.
"I am determined to continue developing our new business links and to keep selling Manukau as a good place for Australian companies to invest in and do business," Sir Barry said.