TOOWOOMBA to shanghai
With the first international trip out of Wellcamp successfully complete , we can now say our region boasts an airport that connects us to the world .
Carrying 200 businesspeople looking to boost their export potential , a historic flight from Toowoomba to Shanghai with Qantas launched the major trade mission known as AccessChina ’ 16 .
As the A330 left the tarmac on October 23 , it proved our region sets the benchmark for opportunity , innovation and industry . AccessChina ’ 16 was an ambitious trade trip , the first to take a town to its export partners and see for themselves the appetite Asian countries have for our produce and products .
As the market for export to China grows , the advice of Asian trade experts , meetings with business counterparts , e-commerce platforms and site tours become vital to build the links needed to establish the sought after partnerships .
During AccessChina ’ 16 delegates did just that as well as exploring supply chain operations and meeting with businesses that could serve or sell their produce in the future .
The $ 1.5million trip put Toowoomba producers and businesses in the spotlight internationally as a
‘ Can Do ’ region , a title Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise and its agricultural initiative Food Leaders Australia ( FLA ), work to build . As many delegates work to strengthen and develop their new connections and pathways , the flow-on effects for the region are being felt . Weekly Cathay Pacific weekly freight flights out of the Wellcamp airport now take our produce direct to Hong Kong , with potential for more flights to be added in the future .
Without a doubt , AccessChina ’ 16 gave the region the recognition and prestige to drive business and opportunity further , both here and in international markets . The foundations for success have been set , with the help of a region bursting with companies at the advanced stages of their export journey .
2017 will see TSBE and FLA grow these opportunities further for their members across the Darling Downs . Visit tsbe . com . au for updates . •
Toowoomba to Shanghai plane on the tarmac awaiting take-off
Mayors Annie Liston , Paul Antonio , Tyson Golder and Lindsay Godfrey with Dr Anthony Lynham MP at departure
Mayor Paul Antonio discussing the history making business delegation
Mayor Paul Antonio , Dr Anthony Lynham MP , John Wagner and Ben Lyons sharing the importance of this first international passenger flight from Toowoomba
BOLD . www . tr . qld . gov . au / bold
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