Auckland ready for economic summit

Media release

13 May 2016

Around 700 senior political representatives and business leaders have begun gathering in Auckland for next week’s annual Tripartite Economic Summit between Los Angeles, Guangzhou and Auckland.

A ‘house full’ notice has been put on the summit website, with registrations closed off after they topped 700.

Organisers attribute the success of the summit to the quality of the speakers, sector focus panels and the value corporates and businesses see in being part of the business matching programme. The business matching system enables companies from all three tripartite cities to connect, and potentially forge deals and partnerships.

The theme for the Tripartite Economic Alliance summit is ``Making Connections,” providing opportunities for collaboration, investment and establishing joint venture partnerships.

More than 150 business meetings slots have already been requested for tables in the summit’s BNZ Business Activation Lounge.

The five specialist sectors to be the focus for summit delegates are:

• High-value foods (nutraceuticals)

• Advanced materials such as composites

• New media, entertainment /digital

• Smart data

• Urban Design

The world-first alliance, signed in November 2014 in Guangzhou, aims to help the three cities create jobs and enhance trade, investment and economic opportunities based on common themes such as innovation and technology.

Brett O’Riley, Chief Executive of Auckland’s economic growth agency Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) says the companies attending the summit have a range of goals, whether that is to enter the US, China or New Zealand market with an expert local partner, discover the perfect supplier, or find their next research and development partner or investment opportunity.

“We are focused on helping them to, at the very least, leave Auckland with solid opportunities to pursue.”

Next week’s event coincides with Auckland’s inaugural Techweek AKL 2016 featuring a range of innovation events across the city.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, President of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Madam Li Xiaolin, Guangzhou Vice Mayor Wang Dong, and New Zealand government ministers are among those who will attend the two-day summit at the Viaduct Events Centre along with the business representatives from the three cities.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown will host the summit on Monday and Tuesday, the second to be held between Los Angeles, Guangzhou and Auckland following the signing of an alliance between the three cities.

The summit has attracted international speakers such as former Nike Innovation expert Dr Erez Morag, the Director of the National Supercomputer Centre in Guangzhou Professor Xue-Feng Yuan, PhD CPhys FInstP FRSC, and Dean at Sun Yat-Sen University and the Sino-Singapore Knowledge City CEO, Ng Kok Siong.

Last year, Mayor Len Brown led a delegation of 43 Auckland organisations to Los Angeles for the alliance’s inaugural summit. It was hailed a success, opening up lucrative American and Chinese markets to local Auckland businesses.

Len Brown says the fact the Auckland summit has attracted senior political and business leaders from our most well-established and economically important partner cities illustrates Auckland’s growing reputation as a globally connected city and innovation hub.

“This is a great opportunity to showcase Auckland and its innovative businesses. The alliance is increasing economic, trade and investment opportunities for Auckland businesses, entrepreneurs and investors with two key economic powerhouses in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, visiting Auckland for the first time, developed Los Angeles’ first-ever Sustainable City Plan to prepare for an expected population growth of 500,000 people over the next 20 years.

Madam Li Xiaolin is president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). She is also a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. She previously served as the first secretary of the Chinese Embassy in the United States and as vice president of the Chinese Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development.

Wang Gong holds the position of Vice Mayor of Guangzhou Municipality, with responsibility for science and technology, information, tourism, and urban planning. He is also Vice Chairperson of Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Jiusan Society, and Chairperson of Guangzhou Municipal Committee of Jiusan Society.

More details can be found on the Tripartite Economic Summit Auckland 2016 website. The Techweek programme can be seen here.

ends

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