Preparing to welcome Mayors to Wellington

It is local connections that will progress trade and development between China and New Zealand says Bank of China (New Zealand) Ltd CEO David Lei Wang, as around 45 Mayors and Vice-Mayors prepare to meet in Wellington this weekend.

Bank of China (New Zealand) Ltd and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand (CCCNZ) are platinum sponsors of the New Zealand China Mayoral Forum 2017.

The Forum, which takes place this Sunday (3rd December) and Monday (4th December), brings together cities and regions from all over New Zealand and China at Te Papa to make connections and discuss potential trade and other opportunities. It is organised by Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ).

It is the first Forum to be held in New Zealand following the inaugural forum in Xiamen in 2015.

Trade and investment opportunities in tourism, education and primary industries will be central to discussions.

With a parent bank with branches all over China, Mr Wang said Bank of China (New Zealand) Ltd was ideally placed to smooth the path between New Zealand and Chinese trading, including the provision of letters of credit, making introductions, and the ability to trade in renminbi (RMB). Bank of China has 11,013 branches in mainland China and 542 overseas branches in 52 countries and provides comprehensive financial service to customer worldwide.

Mr Wang said the bank was keen to explore possible projects with public sector partners. The One Belt One Road trade and development initiative is now included in China’s constitutions after the 19th Congress of the National Community Party in October, which has put it even higher on the Chinese government agenda.

CCCNZ, of which Mr Wang is Chair, is a membership organisation that also has the goal of promoting trade and investment between New Zealand and China.

Mr Wang said: “Bank of China (New Zealand) Ltd is delighted to be a platinum supporter of the New Zealand China Mayoral Forum. China is New Zealand’s largest trading partner so it makes sense for cities and regions from both countries to come together and discuss areas of mutual interest and opportunity. We look forward to welcoming New Zealand and Chinese Mayors to the event.’

Mr Wang added: ‘High level discussions and agreements about increasing cooperation and engagement to take place at a national level, but for deals to be done and trade and investment to progress, that dialogue needs to happen at a regional level, for example through the Mayoral Forum.’

ends

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