Townsville hosts leaders of Asia/Pacific cities for T150 summit
Date published: 1 June 2016
High ranking dignitaries from Townsville’s sister cities in Asia and the Pacific are jetting into the city tomorrow for a major economic and cultural summit to mark the T150 celebrations.
Townsville will host around 60 delegates from Changshu and Foshan in China, and Iwaki and Shunan in Japan in the city’s biggest ever gathering of Sister Cities from June 2-6.
The delegations, headed by mayors and senior government officials, will take part in tours of the city, the T150 Townsville Sister Cities Mayoral Forum at Rydges Southbank Hotel on Friday, and Pacific Festival activities over the weekend.
Mayor Cr Jenny Hill said the visit was an opportunity to showcase the Townsville region and attract new investment to the city.
“We are extremely proud that so many officials from our Sister Cities will be here to provide an international flavour for our T150 celebrations,” Cr Hill said.
“As well as strengthening cultural ties and understanding between our cities, the visit will also be important to build strong economic partnerships.
“The delegates will tour industry and tourism locations in the city and will meet face to face with local community and business leaders to discuss opportunities for greater investment and trade exchanges.
“We will be pushing very hard Townsville’s role as a northern capital for trade, education, tourism, and business and industry as well as the enormous potential of our Waterfront PDA area.”
Sister Cities Committee chair Cr Ann-Maree Greaney said building stronger partnerships in Asia was important for future cultural and economic exchanges with Townsville.
“Our Sister Cities have made a strong commitment by accepting our invitation to attend the economic forum and join our community for the T150 celebrations during this weekend’s Pacific Festival,” Cr Greaney said.
“Townsville’s Sister Cities date right back to 1983 and since that time we have built up significant business with trade and education. This week’s event is an opportunity to breathe some new life into those relationships and attract new business to the region.”
The delegations, headed by mayors, senior government officials, foreign media and business groups will take part in tours of the city, the T150 Townsville Sister Cities Mayoral Forum at Rydges Southbank Hotel on Friday, and Pacific Festival activities over the weekend.
Visiting dignitaries include the mayor of Shunan City, Mr Kenishi Kimura, mayor of Iwaki City, Mr Toshio Shimizu, Madam Qin Weixing, president of the Standing Committee of Changshu People’s Congress and Mr Yang Xiaoguang, chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Foshan City.
Friday’s Mayoral Forum will bring together 80 visiting officials and investors, 60 local and regional business representatives and banking and investment specialists.
Key speakers will include Mark Bennett, head of Agribusiness Australia, ANZ, Adam Stevenson, General Manager of Queensland Operations Division of Trade and Investment Queensland and mayors and dignitaries from Townsville’s Sister Cities.
Visiting entertainers include the Foshan City Lion Dancer and Kung Fu display group, Iwaki City Yunohankai performers, Miss Ma from Changshu who will all be performing on Friday and Saturday night at the Pacific Festival.
