China Trip Opens New Dorrs for the NT

DAVID TOLLNER
DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER

Deputy Chief Minister David Tollner said an agreement signed in China last week will see a new era of industrial and economic development for the Territory.

Mr Tollner, who led a delegation of Territory business people in China, witnessed the signing between Territory businessman, Jerry Ren, and Chinese heavy machinery giant, XCMG.

The agreement will pave the way for the construction of a large assembly and distribution plant with stage one of the project bringing a direct investment of $60 million into the NT economy.

“This is a big win for Territory business and an enormous opportunity to position Darwin as a strategic trading and distribution hub,” Mr Tollner said.

This joint venture will see the construction of an assembly line for civil construction machinery and will create up to 300 jobs in the next five years.

Mr Tollner and his advisor, along with the Department of Business’s Chief Executive Peter Carew, Wayne Fan from the Department’s Asian Engagement Trade and Investment Division, and Tourism NT Chairman Michael Bridge, travelled to Shanghai, Xuzhou and Haikou.

They held important meetings focusing on investment, tourism and economic opportunities.

In addition to the negotiations with XCMG in Xuzhou, some of the other key engagements of the delegation included meeting with Hainan Airlines in Haikou, and discussing investment opportunities in the NT with the China Development Bank in Shanghai.

Mr Tollner said the recent trip to China highlighted the importance of Asian engagement to the Territory.

“Unlike Delia Lawrie’s former Labor Government, our Government is much more committed to developing strong relationships, facilitating serious investment in the Territory and harnessing the enormous opportunities that exist with Asia,” he said.

“The Opposition seems so upset by a trip of great importance to the NT where private business delegates have paid their own way.

“Perhaps Delia Lawrie needs to outline how many overseas trips were taken by representatives of the former Labor Government where taxpayers footed the bill not only for government officials, but for private business delegates as well.”

Source: ProjectLink.com.au

View All »