Mayor off to attract Chinese investment

PROMOTING RANGITIKEI: Andy Watson is to travel to Melbourne to talk to Chinese investors. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO A_131013WCSMANDY_WATSON

Rangitikei Mayor Andy Watson will travel to Melbourne in an attempt to attract Chinese money to the district.

Mr Watson will make the trip alongside Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith to present at the Australasian China Cities business forum later this month.

The mayors will have access to up to 700 Chinese business people and politicians. Following that, 50 Chinese delegates will come to New Zealand for two days to be hosted by the Rangitikei District and Palmerston North City councils where they will attend a business breakfast and talk to Manawatu-Wanganui business people.

Mr Watson said he had been in talks with Chinese companies for more than a year about partnerships with Rangitikei businesses and the Melbourne trip had come from that.

"We started engaging with China and progress was reasonably slow but it's heated up in the last few weeks," he said.

"The timing of this is fantastic. There has been very much a slowdown in China. There are some very wealthy people who are saying 'we are more than happy to move some of our funds into New Zealand'."

At last week's council meeting, councillor Cath Ash asked what specific opportunities there were. Mr Watson said it might be investment in things such as large-scale assets for local businesses. "We'd have a couple of real opportunities I would think within the region," he said.

Council would not become partners in business ventures but could help facilitate deals. "Whether or not you believe in Asian investment in New Zealand, this is another matter."

Each council in the region will contribute to hosting the Chinese delegation. Mr Watson expected Rangitikei's share to be about $2000.

He was to pay his own way to Melbourne but a proposal from deputy mayor Dean McManaway that his travel and accommodation costs for the visit be covered was voted in favour of by council.

"You're going over pretty much to promote our region and I don't believe you should be footing the bill for that," Mr McManaway said.