City’s efforts praised
AUSTRALIA’S High Commissioner to Singapore Bruce Gosper has praised Townsville’s efforts to develop ties with the South- East Asian hub, describing them as “second to none”.
Mr Gosper complimented the work of James Cook University and Townsville Enterprise during a roadshow to the city yesterday led by Singapore- based business group AustCham.
“Townsville has a good reputation because you work so hard,” Mr Gosper said.
“If I think about all the jurisdictions in Australian towns and cities, territories and states who work con- sistently at this relationship with Singapore, Townsville stands second to none, frankly.”
Townsville Enterprise has led delegations to the financial and trading centre since the announcement of closer ties between Australia and Singapore, focused on defence, in 2016.
James Cook University has a longestablished campus in Singapore, and more recently Townsville City Council signed a co- operation agreement with Singaporean infrastructure group Surbana Jurong.
While defence agreements, involving government investment of $ 2.25 billion in military training facilities near Townsville and Shoalwater Bay, have not been finalised, Mr Gosper said progress was being made.
“The defence arrangement is beginning to get traction and move forward. There are significant steps being made,” Mr Gosper said.
Townsville Enterprise CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said concluding land arrangements for training facilities near Townsville was important.
AustCham Singapore, representing 700 members from 300 Australian companies in Singapore, has included Townsville in a roadshow of major Australian cities.
AustCham president Ian Cummin said Australian businesses were well placed to offer the skills needed in Singapore.
“Singapore is a hub for businesses operating in the wider region and many of our members service not just the Singapore market but also Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia as well as India, China and the Middle East,” Mr Cummin said.
“The consistent commitment from Townsville in capitalising on these opportunities and working to build strong relationships is very encouraging and really paves the way for local businesses to enter this market.”
Ms O’Callaghan said Townsville Enterprise was lobbying for direct flights to be established between Townsville and Singapore.
She said defence and education ties, and the export of North Queensland agricultural goods to Singapore, would be important elements in building a business case for flights.