Auckland forges closer economic ties with Pacific Rim

7 November 2014

Auckland forges closer economic ties with Pacific Rim heavyweights

Auckland will strengthen its ties with two of the Pacific Rim’s economic heavyweights when it signs a ground-breaking tripartite agreement next week.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Auckland and Guangzhou in China, and Mayor Len Brown has been invited to Guangzhou in recognition of the anniversary.

The visit is being timed to coincide with a visit to Guangzhou by the Mayor of Los Angeles, another of Auckland’s sister cities.

A centrepiece of the visit will be the mayors of the three cities signing a trade and economic agreement believed to be the only agreement of its kind in the world.

It will focus on forging connections between the cities’ education, screen and digital, innovation, and tourism sectors.

The trip and the new alliance aims to raise Auckland’s profile with two international economic powerhouses, increase investment into Auckland and offer greater opportunity to Auckland businesses and entrepreneurs, in turn leading to job creation.

A range of proposals are being considered by the three cities for an alliance work programme, focusing on areas such as air quality and sustainability, waterfront regeneration, port-to-port alliance, chambers of commerce cooperation, film distribution, retail and fashion promotion.

A group of business leaders will accompany Len Brown and Auckland Council Finance and Performance Chair Cr Penny Webster. The delegation will also visit another of Auckland’s sister cities, Ningbo, and the economic centre of Shanghai.

What?
• Mayor Len Brown and Finance and Performance Committee Chair Cr Penny Webster are leading an Auckland delegation to three cities in China

When?
• 9 - 17 November 2014
• The Mayor’s official programme will be released prior to departure

Where?
• Auckland Shanghai Ningbo Guangzhou Auckland

Why?
• This year marks the 25th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Auckland and Guangzhou and as part of that anniversary Mayor Brown has been invited to Guangzhou.
• The visit is timed to coincide with a visit to Guangzhou by the Mayor of Los Angeles so the Mayors of all three cities are present to sign a tripartite economic alliance.
• The delegation also aims to strengthen relationships with Ningbo and Shanghai (particularly in education and tourism).

Who?
• Mayor Len Brown and Finance and Performance Committee Chair Councillor Penny Webster are leading the mission.
• There are also representatives from the Employers and Manufacturers Association, Committee for Auckland, NZ China Trade Association, NZ China Council, Auckland Airport, Ports of Auckland, ATEED, Waterfront Auckland and Auckland Council.
• The delegation is being organised with support from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and Auckland’s partner cities foreign affairs counterparts.

ENDS

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