Tamworth Regional Council has its heart on taking care of business in China.
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But should it be doing all the talking when it comes to pitching our region?
The Tamworth Business Chamber has offered to come along at its own expense to be a part of the action to give the business sector some eyes and ears on the ground, as well as a voice.
Hopefully, the chamber’s board votes to tag along because it makes sense for the organisation to have a seat at the table when the trip is pitched as a “business investment visit”.
Gunnedah Shire Council has also been busy building its reputation in China.
However, our neighbours have been inviting their chamber of commerce and local businesses to tag along for their trips to China.
Tamworth Regional Council talks about the huge number of jobs which could be forthcoming and the amount of investment which would enrich the whole region and how the trip will put runs on the board for the agricultural sector.
But local employers and producers don’t have the same access that council is getting.
It will be a great, proactive move if the business chamber can get a spot next to council during its Chinese trip.
But even then, it’s just one seat at the table, occupied by one business representative from a community of 60,000-plus people.
While it is great to see a focus for our farmers with this trip, maybe it’s time some producers started knocking on the doors at Ray Walsh House and asked what happened to their invite to this investment mission.
We’ve heard Tamworth council’s expenses-paid trips to China are bearing fruit for the region.
But you’d expect that to be the case.
From feedback The Leader has received it seems difficult for the community to see what benefit is coming from these visits to China.
Surely, it makes sense to give employers and producers the same opportunity to tap into this interest in investment.
Gunnedah’s chamber of commerce says its been overwhelmed by inquiries following its foreign investment missions, particularly in the rural realm.
So much so, the town’s chamber president Mike Broekman said a more regional focus could be the way to go in the future when it comes to pitching for investment.