Council claims $80m boost from Melbourne’s largest-ever Asia trade mission

The City of Melbourne has reported significant economic and diplomatic outcomes from its largest-ever business delegation to North Asia, with councillors returning from a two-week mission across China and Japan claiming tens of millions of dollars in projected trade and investment benefits.

A post-travel report tabled at the November 25 council meeting shows the September mission – led by Lord Mayor Nick Reece and joined by councillors Kevin Louey, Philip Le Liu and Gladys Liu – is forecast to generate more than $28.4 million in trade benefits.

The Lord Mayor undertook a high-level diplomatic program, meeting with the mayors of Chengdu, Tianjin and Beijing, the Party Secretary of Nanjing, the Governor of Tokyo and the Mayor of Osaka.

Together, those cities represent more than 123 million people. The report argues that Melbourne’s engagement with such major global centres positions it strongly for long-term opportunities in trade, investment and policy exchange.

“I think there are something like 30 megacities in the world – we did five of them,” Cr Reece said. “This was a mission that delivered results.”

Deputy Lord Mayor Roshena Campbell described the trip as “nothing short of an extraordinary return for Melbourne on the investment of this mission”.

It’s worth saying this wasn’t just a council mission, this was a Melbourne mission,” she said. “As a result of the work of those delegates, 14 commercial agreements across China and Japan were secured … and six investment leads forecast to generate over $53 million in economic impact.

The mission spanned Chengdu, Nanjing, Tianjin, Beijing, Tokyo and Osaka. It involved 57 official meetings and more than 170 business-matching sessions.

It focused on Melbourne’s strengths in the green economy, health and clinical trials, innovation and education. Victorian start-ups secured market access, while several international companies signalled plans to establish headquarters in Melbourne.

The portfolio head for innovation, Cr Andrew Rowse, said the involvement of local start-ups was a defining feature of the trip.

“On their return, they had glowing things to report about their experience and the opportunities presented to them globally,” he said.

Industry visits included meetings with global battery manufacturer CATL, tours of biotech and pharmaceutical hubs in Chengdu and Nanjing, and participation in the Nexus Innovation Summit, where several Melbourne start-ups signed agreements with private-sector partners.

The Osaka leg exposed delegates to major life sciences and biomedical precincts as a part of the Osaka World Expo.

The mission also attracted substantial media attention across China. The Council report cites 52 media items across television, print and digital platforms, reaching an estimated 50 million people.

Interviews with the Lord Mayor and Melbourne delegates were broadcast in Chengdu, Nanjing and Tianjin, which the report says “significantly enhanced Melbourne’s visibility”

The total cost for councillor participation was $55,231, with airfares comprising the bulk of the expenses. •