Mayor promotes trade with China

Click on the picture of Rizhao to learn more about Gisborne's sister city relationships.

MAYOR Meng Foon has signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese sister city Rizhao, where he says exciting and low-cost opportunities exist for Gisborne businesses.

“If anyone is keen, contact me,” he said.

Mr Foon spent three days in China and met with the mayor of Rizhao, Liu Xingtai, and other dignitaries. He signed the memoradum in a ceremony broadcast to 100 million people.

The memorandum states the parties will "strengthen the friendly relations and exchanges between the two sides".

Gisborne has had a sister city relationship with Rizhao, a city of 3.8 million people, for 20 years.

Rizhao means the place of the rising sun. Mr Foon said Gisborne businesses could test the Chinese market.

“In the first year, storage, customs and office space is all free. The business only needs to pay for labour, internet coverage and power.

“Labour is about $NZ1000 a month to employ a person who can speak English and Mandarin. This is a low-cost, low-risk opportunity to test the Chinese market.

A bonded store“The idea of a bonded store could be a pilot for ECT to provide a low-cost space for one year for our own entrepreneurs to try their business idea out.

‘‘From what I see in Gisborne/East Coast, our growers, producers and firms are ready to supply top-end produce to the top end Chinese market."

Trade with Rizhao was already booming, he said.

“At Longshan, sister port to Rizhao, about four kilometres from Rizhao City, 60 percent of the total logs in this log market are from here.

“It was pleasing to see a large quantity of logs from Ernslaw One and PF Olsen in the yard. The manager said the Gisborne logs are of good quality, which is why they buy large quantities.

“Most of the logs are sold to a cluster of nearby wood processing plants. The mayor and managers from Longshan visited Gisborne earlier this year and were impressed with our facilities and the quantity of top quality wood that is being produced in Tairawhiti.”

The region imports Longbush wine, and the managers have a good relationship with John Thorpe.

Mr Foon said he also saw kiwifruit and manuka honey on sale.

“Chinese people in Rizhao love these products and can’t get enough. They are also very keen on velvet and deer products such as venison.

“They view our country as a place that grows safe food. New Zealand is a trusted brand. I would like to acknowledge their very generous hospitality, as they covered all my internal costs.”

The memoradum says Gisborne and Rizhao could carry out reciprocal government and non-government exchanges.

There could be co-operation in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, fisheries, environmental protection, urban planning and construction, and sustainable living to promote livable cities.

Bilateral exchanges could be enriched in culture, sport, education and health, the memorandum says.