Funding boosts close ties between Mid West and China

Funding from the State Government’s Royalties for Regions Regional Grants Scheme and the Mid West Development Commission, will see the City of Greater Geraldton develop a brand new website which will provide a platform for businesses in the Mid West and China to identify and promote business opportunities.

With funding of $43,500, the Mid West China Connect website will serve as a two-way business portal for Mid West and Chinese business to provide information in both English and Mandarin, on how to do business in the Mid West region, connect existing businesses in the region and China, advertise and promote the region's resources, industry, lifestyle and tourism attractions and to stimulate investment.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Ian Carpenter, said the new online tool was the perfect medium for both Mid West and Chinese businesses to communicate.

“This new venture will open a lot of doors between China and the Mid West and we have been working on fostering this relationship for many years and this is just another progression in our already great connection,” he said.

“It gives the Mid West and China the opportunity to identify opportunities, connect, share information, and promote business opportunities without language barriers. 

“Ultimately, we want to put the Mid West and Geraldton into the direct searching radar of China - the biggest trading partner of the Nation and the State.

“I urge local businesses to seize the opportunity to take advantage of the potential that the new website could generate.”

The website will provide businesses in both the Mid West region and China to list their business in English and Mandarin for free , giving them the opportunity to advertise their business with a description of services, contact details, products, services details, images, video clips and maps.

Once the website is set up, it will be maintained by the City providing content monitoring, day-to-day information updates, two-way translation and further facilitation services.

The Mid West China Connect website will also provide URL links and QR codes to social media sites including Chinese social media networks.

Mid West Development Commission Chairman, Murray Criddle, said the website was an important factor in helping to grow the trade between the Mid West and China.

“The trade between our region and China is already high and this website is a great tool to help grow that even more,” he said.

“We know Chinese investors have shown a lot of interest in the Mid West which is something we aim to harness and this website is helping us to do that.”

Once up and operating, the website will directly connect suppliers and demanders, enabling Mid West businesses to identify new sources of supply of inputs to grow their businesses, and new customers for their products and services, stimulating local economic development and employment.

“Essentially, this will be an important online platform to attract people to live, work, visit and invest in the Mid West Region,” Mayor Carpenter said.

This project is made possible by the State Government’s Royalties for Regions Regional Grants Scheme and the Mid West Development Commission.

The website is set to be up and running by March 2016 – so watch this space.

Further information about how your business can be listed will be provided closer to the conclusion of the website.

For more information about the project, contact the City on 9956 6600.