Southern Downs Mayor Ron Bellingham will visit Southern Downs’ Japanese Sister City, Shiwa, later this week.

Mayor Bellingham said the visit, which is in response to a delegation from Shiwa visiting Warwick earlier this year, will further cement ties between the two regions.

“I am keen to talk to Mayor Fujiwara in Shiwa about expanding our relationship to investigate potential economic opportunity between us,” Cr Bellingham said.

“The Southern Downs is rich in food production and processing, as well as being amongst Australia’s best in warehousing and logistics and we also have many smaller niche manufacturers in areas such as nutriceuticals and environmental monitoring equipment. I will be initiating discussions between the relevant people both here and in Shiwa on whatever prospects arise,” he said.

Council’s Economic Development Unit is also in discussion with a number of other Asian centres regarding investment links with proposed projects in the Southern Downs region.

Acting Economic Development Manager, John Randall, revealed today that talks will be held next month with Asian investors regarding the possible funding of major local infrastructure projects such as the Emu Swamp Dam on the Granite Belt.

“Queensland is attractive at the moment for offshore investors for a number of reasons,” Mr Randall said.

“We are a politically stable country, we have weathered the global financial crisis in a very positive fashion, we are seen as safe from terrorism, and we are regarded as a ‘trophy’ destination for foreign investment.”

ENDS

Media Contact:
Tracy Vellacott
Communications Officer
(07) 4661 0305