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VALUBLE CONNECTIONS: Kristina Roberts (left), Chris Cowley (fourth from left) and Elisa Bu (fourth from right) with Chinese industry representatives outside the Australian Embassy in Beijing.
The City of Whyalla’s business mission to China has kicked off with a busy first couple of days.
It was a 3.30am start on Sunday morning for Council CEO Chris Cowley, Director of City Growth Kristina Roberts and Tourism and Economic Development Manger Elisa Bu as they boarded a red-eye flight for China.
Arriving in Beijing at 9pm after a 14-hour economy flight, it was a 10.45pm book-in at the hotel. There wasn’t much time for rest either as the day then started early on Monday with a meeting at the Australian embassy with a large number of representatives from a Chinese technology company.
The Council delegation’s mission is to pursue more business for the City of Whyalla. The trip follows a string of deals that will bring a broader range of industries to further diversify the Whyalla economy and create more jobs.
The delegation has an intensive five days of meetings and appointments planned with a range of Chinese and international companies.
Opportunities include new technologies in recycled water and waste management, water and energy efficiency. Projects ideas include rejuvenated landfills to create commercial and community benefits and using new digital technology to improve community and business needs and services.
Below is CEO Chris Cowley’s diary for the first two days of the business trip.
SUNDAY, JULY 22
It was a 3:30am wake-up on Sunday morning before a taxi to airport from our overnight accommodation in Adelaide for the 6am flight. Arrived in Beijing at 9pm and checked to the hotel at 10:45pm.
MONDAY, JULY 23
Started the day by meeting with Australian trade and investment representatives at the Australian embassy. They facilitated a meeting with a large number of representatives from a large Chinese technology company.
The parent body of this company is behind some significant hydro-electric power projects. It also specialises in environmental technologies and, in particular, plastic recycling and developing innovative uses for the recycled product.
They have agreed to pursue investigations, with our assistance, into the investment opportunities in Whyalla and the broader region. We extended an invitation for the company to visit Whyalla to gain a first-hand understanding of all that our region has to offer. The meeting finished at 12:30pm.
After lunch we met with a Chinese company that specialises in solar power, battery storage technology, water management and treatment solutions and many other diverse interests across China and the globe. The annual budget for this company is approximately $40 billion AUD.
They made us feel exceptionally welcome (see picture of their welcome sign) and demonstrated the company’s capabilities and interest in expanding their investment in South Australia and Whyalla. Representatives of the company are intending to visit Whyalla in August. Our meeting finished at 4:30pm.
WELCOME SIGNS: Council CEO Chris Cowley with a Chinese company's electronic billboard.
READ MORE ON THE CHINA BUSINESS MISSION
http://www.whyalla.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=1009&c=56180