Greater Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan is set to visit Changwon, South Korea, in a significant step to advance agreements under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and explore future business opportunities.
This visit aims to build relationships in South Korean to encourage investment in Geelong and strengthen existing ties with key industries in Changwon City including manufacturing and technology.
This is Mayor Sullivan’s first trip to Changwon. He will travel independently to South Korea where he will be welcomed by the Mayor of Changwon City Huh Sungmoo, who has visited Geelong multiple times.
Located on South Korea’s southeast coast, Changwon City is an industrial and manufacturing hub that is home to global manufacturers including Hanwha Corporation, South Korea’s seventh-largest business group.
Hanwha Corporation is building a $170 million facility at Avalon, where it will construct vehicles for the Australian Defence Force, an investment creating opportunities for local Geelong businesses.
Meetings in South Korea will be centred around deepening partnerships with Changwon National University established through a MOU with Deakin University, exploring South Korea’s leadership in hydrogen fuel infrastructure, and drawing insights from Changwon’s successful urban planning strategies, particularly in medium density housing and industrial clustering.
The City of Greater Geelong signed a MOU with Changwon City on 31 March, 2022, formalising an agreement to collaborate on trade, education, and cultural exchanges to promote investment and employment opportunities for both cities.
As a UNESCO City of Design with a strong history of manufacturing and Clever and Creative goals, the MOU is an opportunity to attract further investment and cement Greater Geelong as an innovative international manufacturing hub.
Mayor Sullivan said the trip will be an opportunity to increase Greater Geelong’s global visibility as a place to invest, do business, visit and study.
“The aim is to attract more South Korean investment to our city by making connections and strongly promoting Geelong’s advantages,” he said.
“There is potential to generate significant investment directly into our local economy, supporting local businesses and increasing local job opportunities for our community.
“With an international airport, major port, leading research university and our world standard advanced manufacturing sector, we have a lot to offer that other cities don’t.
“Promoting ourselves to the world is a key part of our strategy to secure the long-term health of our local economy.”
At its April Council meeting, the City adopted its International Engagement Strategy, identifying South Korea as a targeted market and supporting Council to fulfill the key objectives outlined in the strategy.
The cost of the Mayor’s trip to Changwon will be limited to economy class flights, with the Mayor’s hosts to cover accommodation and other expenses.
