Auckland and Brisbane (Capital of Queensland) completed 25 years of their relationship as ‘Sister Cities’ recently, to commemorate which, Auckland Mayor Len Brown visited the Australian City with a delegation of businesspersons in June.
Mr Brown said that Brisbane Lord Mayor Quirk and his officials had extended an unforgettable welcome and provided an exceptional business programme for him and his delegation.
Lord Mayor Quirk was in Auckland on a reciprocal visit recently, with a 20-member delegation of entrepreneurs and professionals.
I was among those who attended a meeting in Auckland, at which Mr Quirk said that he was proud and happy to make the reciprocal visit with a delegation that represented diverse business interests in his City.
“I am committed to advancing Brisbane’s place in the world by building mutually beneficial international relationships and promoting Brisbane as Australia’s New World City. It is about providing every opportunity for Brisbane businesses and the Brisbane economy to grow,” he said.
Investment destination
The visiting delegation had opportunities to not only experience Auckland’s hospitality and multiculturalism but also understand how and why the City is an attractive destination for investment.
As well as being New Zealand’s largest trading partner, Australia is of strategic importance to New Zealand.
Federation of Indian Communities of QLD Inc Patron Surendra Prasad said that he was happy to learn about the Indian business community in Auckland and its involvement in various sectors of the economy.
“I would encourage our business community in Brisbane to invest in this country and welcome New Zealand businesses to evince interest in Brisbane,” he said.
Initiatives such as Mayoral visits with business delegations will showcase Auckland as a world-leading destination and as a welcoming gateway to New Zealand.
A thriving Auckland is vital for the progress of the New Zealand Economy.
Wenceslaus Anthony is Chairman & Managing Director of WAML Group Limited based in Auckland. The picture shows him with (from left) Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, ANZ Bank Head of India Relations Sunil Kaushal and Federation of Indian Communities of QLD Patron Surendra Prasad.
