Key economic leads for Tropical North Queensland including export opportunities and a potential aviation partnership have been identified during a regional leaders’ mission to China, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning led the economic development mission targeting key economic development opportunities with an emphasis on construction, tourism and aviation initiatives.
He was joined by Advance Cairns Chairman Trent Twomey, Cairns Chamber of Commerce Chairman Ron Tong, Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Alex de Waal, Cairns Airport Chief Executive Officer Kevin Brown and Cairns Airport General Manager of Aeronautical Development and Marketing Janice Antonson.
The group spent five days conducting meetings with key decision makers in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Shanghai and Singapore.
Cr Manning said the mission served to reinforce the fact that Cairns is considered as a prime target for investment by high net worth individuals in Hong Kong, China and Singapore.
“Our secure political and economic environment, combined with the close proximity to our Asian neighbours and our open-for-business attitude, are powerful factors of positive attraction to investors.”
Mr Brown said China presented enormous opportunities for the Cairns region.
“Our strong focus on partnering with China Eastern was greatly reinforced through the Mayoral mission with the timing designed to coincide with the recommencement of seasonal scheduled services between Shanghai and Cairns.
“Significant progress also was made towards our ambition for a year-round scheduled service to Cairns and the development of mono destination marketing of Tropical North Queensland in Shanghai.”
The group inspected the James Cook University campus site in Singapore and met with officials to identify potential opportunities for Cairns to pursue following the recent confirmation of Silk Air Services commencing on May 30.
While in Singapore, they also met with the owner of Aspial Corporation Mr Koh, who is investing $200 million in a seven-tower project in Cairns, to discuss additional development opportunities in light of the enhanced aviation access.
