INCREASED Trade and Investment for North Queensland took a major step forward on April 19 in China when the North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils and the Port of Townsville signed Framework Agreements with Huizhou City, Huizhou Port and Guangdong Logistic Industry Association.
These agreements were associated with “Shaping the future of 21st century maritime silk road, Sino-Australia logistic channel for livestock” and had been developing for the past two months with a focus on:
1. Infrastructure associated with Port of Townsville construction and investment cooperation
2. Support re investment and trade facilitation to accelerate the bilateral trade cooperation for livestock logistics
3. Cultural exchanges to enhance the public understanding and friendship between the two regions
Frank Beveridge Mayor of Charters Towers and the Chair of the North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils said it’s an exciting time for North Queensland.
“We now have a strong commitment from one of the major regions and companies in China who are committed to working with us in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture and animal husbandry, industry investment, cultural communication, education and training,” Cr Beveridge said.
The signing took place as part of a trade mission that was assisted by Trade and Investment Queensland. Queensland Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, the Hon William Byrne MP, who held meetings on the side of the delegation program with local government representatives to promote Queensland agricultural trade opportunities. The signing was also attended by Ewen Jones MP the Federal Member for Herbert.
The agreements signed included a Framework Agreement between the Port of Townsville and the Port of Huizhou, cementing a further milestone in negotiations following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding last month.
Port of Townsville Limited Chairman Patrick Brady said the next step in the journey recognises the importance being shown by China in our region, and paves the way for our ports to work together to grow live cattle and other trades and investment opportunities between North Queensland and Guangdong Province.
Townsville City Council CEO Ray Burton who was representing Mayor Cr Jenny Hill said it was great to see tangible trade and investment results now going together for North Queensland following the trade delegations to China in 2013 and 2014 led by Mayor Hill in partnership with Townsville Enterprise, Port of Townsville and businesses.
CEO of Townsville Enterprise, Patricia O’Callaghan said the wonderful cooperation between the regions has provided a platform for the beef industry and the Port with the support of local government and the business community to establish a strategic and cooperative partnership with one of the major economic regions in China.
The framework agreements are designed so that all parties work in cooperation to accelerate a Sino-Australia 21st century maritime Silk Road through the development of a logistic channel for livestock by the development of "two docking" plan for live cattle business and industrial park.
All parties have agreed to establish a cooperative committee to mobilise available resources to develop a plan to accelerate the implementation of the project.
Preliminarily agreement has been reached to organise an economic cooperation forum in Huizhou and North Queensland every two years, the first of which to be held in 2016 in Huizhou, aiming at promoting bilateral investment cooperation, exploring more areas of cooperation, further strengthening the communications of technology, culture and other aspects, and holding discussion on issues of mutual concern such as environmental protection and ecology.
