Qingdao Delegation to Visit Dunedin

Dunedin (Thursday, 5 September 2013) – Establishing a strong economic partnership is the focus of a Chinese delegation visiting Dunedin next week.

A 15-member delegation from Qingdao, a major city in the Shandong Province in Eastern China, is here to build on links formed when a Dunedin delegation visited Shanghai and Qingdao in April.

The Qingdao Bureau of Commerce of the Qingdao Municipal Government will sign an economic partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Economic Development Unit of the Dunedin City Council on 11 September.

The MoU aims to further promote trade exchange and mutual investment between Dunedin and Qingdao and to offer a platform for business co-operation.

Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull says, “Following the Dunedin delegation visit in April, our Economic Development Unit has developed a valuable opportunity for the city to engage in a partnership with Qingdao where the economic and business synergies are a perfect fit for what we do at a world-class level.”

EDU Business Development Advisor Margo Reid says, ”We see this visit as a very significant event which builds on the Economic Development Strategy theme of ‘linkages beyond our borders’.”

While in China, members of the Dunedin delegation, led by Mr Cull, met with the Vice Mayor of Qingdao, Mr Liu Mingjun. Mr Liu discussed the fostering of strong civic and economic links between the two cities. The Haier Group, which is located in Qingdao, owns Fisher & Paykel and the delegation had a tour of the Haier display centre.

Grow Dunedin Partnership Chair Cr Chris Staynes says the visit was an opportunity to discuss the importance and value of having Fisher & Paykel in Dunedin.

"This visit by the Qingdao delegation and signing of the MoU will create a platform for the city to introduce and showcase what other Dunedin businesses could offer that could enhance future economic opportunities between the two cities."

The Qingdao delegation, led by Mr Liu, includes the Director-General and other members of the Qingdao Bureau of Commerce. The delegation is to visit Auckland (Qingdao’s sister city) and has been invited by the DCC to also come to Dunedin. The delegation arrives in Dunedin on Tuesday night and flies out on Wednesday afternoon.

On Wednesday, the delegation will start the day by visiting the Fisher & Paykel design unit in Dunedin. Delegation members will also visit Toitū Otago Settlers Museum and the Dunedin Chinese Garden before attending meetings, including the MoU signing, at the Dunedin Centre. Business representatives and Economic Development Strategy partners have been invited to join a civic luncheon before the delegation flies home.
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