Delegates bolster business ties in UAE

A BUSINESS delegation from Brisbane has travelled to the UAE to strengthen trade and investment relationships with businesses and governments.

Following a mission in 2007, Brisbane Lord Mayor Councillor Campbell Newman is leading the delegation, accompanied by 13 prominent business leaders and the city’s official marketing agency Brisbane Marketing.

Brisbane Marketing will showcase the city’s economy to delegates in Manama, Abu Dhabi and Doha in an attempt to build new investment and trade opportunities.

Brisbane Marketing CEO John Aitken says government and business relations are an essential part of furthering trade interests between Brisbane and the Middle East.

“Since our visit in 2007, Brisbane has seen so much progress and economic growth which has been fuelled by long-term investment and infrastructure plans. In our visit in 2009, we plan to showcase Brisbane’s transformation and explore promising areas of co-operation with Manama, Abu Dhabi and Doha,” says Aitken.

“To help sustain Brisbane as the fastest growing capital city in Australia, Brisbane Marketing together with Brisbane City Council is leading a number of strategic initiatives which offer many possibilities for businesses and investors.

“In 2008, we released a 10-year tourism investment and infrastructure plan for the Brisbane region. This plan provides a direction for the sustainable development of our tourism industry and also identifies more than 80 investment opportunities.

“These investment opportunities vary in terms of their strategic advantage for the Brisbane region, such as the Brisbane CBD hotel plan and the Brisbane Terminal study.”

The delegation will meet with senior government officials and business leaders from Bahrain Economic Development Board; Bahrain Chamber of Commerce; Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Abu Dhabi Municipality and Town Planning Department; Etihad Airways; Abu Dhabi Education Council; Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority; Bahrain Investment Wharf; GJM Partners and others.

“I’m confident our second trade mission to the Gulf will help to reinforce Brisbane’s trade connections with Manama, Abu Dhabi and Doha, and in turn this will lead to a more secure economic future for our Cities,” says Aitken.