Growing Rotorua aim for community of commerce

Frank Zhou and Dr Chris Low are behind the Rotorua Chinese Community of Commerce. Photo / Supplied

Facilitating and connecting local businesses to work with Chinese businesspeople, and encouraging Chinese to set up business in Rotorua are two of the aims behind a newly-formed group.

The Rotorua Chinese Community of Commerce was formed earlier this year and aims to benefit both existing businesses looking to extend their business with the Chinese market, as well as attracting new ventures to Rotorua.

Co-president Dr Chris Low said the group was made up of people from all different walks of life with the common goal.

"Our approach is new, it's led by professionals."

A surgeon, Dr Low said he didn't have his own business or anything to gain personally from being a part of the organisation, but was involved because he could see the benefits to the city.

"The only thing I want is to see Rotorua grow. I believe it can only grow when people migrate and stay." He believed Chinese investment was a key to Rotorua growing.

Dr Low said, through the group, they were able to put people in touch with those who could help them.

"One example is if you have a company starting out and want to have access to Chinese clients or want to branch out."

Fellow co-president Frank Zhou said he often heard about people who wanted to invest in Rotorua and he saw the group as a platform to link those people into the local community.

He said those in the Chinese community worked across all different industries.

"It is for them to come together to see what we can to do help our community, and the Rotorua community, grow."

"The idea is to connect members to businesses locally and externally. That's one of our primary goals."

The pair said the longevity of the group was a priority and they wanted to set it up so it would continue for many years to come

"It is very important to start off strong. Hopefully it will benefit the community as a whole," Dr Low said. "The aim is for it to still exist for a few generations to come."

He said members ranged from those who had been in Rotorua for several decades to those who had just arrived.