City opens hub for international business

THE City of Greater Geelong has opened a dedicated international meeting and collaboration space aimed at strengthening the region’s global business and diplomatic ties.

Based within the Wurriki Nyal Civic Precinct, the new global hub will host visiting dignitaries, trade delegations and industry leaders as Geelong continues to expand its international partnerships.

The hub builds on a busy period of international engagement for the city, which since December has welcomed delegations from Japan, Korea and China, while also hosting the Geelong-India Collaborative Futures Forum and the National Indian Film Festival of Australia.

Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong will operate from the space as part of its international work, including its memorandum of understanding with the World Trade Centre in New Orleans.

The facility will also be available to organisations and business groups needing a central meeting space, including the Geelong Manufacturing Council, Geelong Chamber of Commerce, Cultura, Global Victoria and Invest Victoria.

Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said the hub would encourage further collaboration and connection with international businesses, cities and countries.

“International engagement and collaboration play an important role in boosting our region’s economy,” Cr Kontelj said.

“We’ve already seen how having an international port and an expanding airport means more jobs for local people. “The opening of the Global Hub provides further opportunities to build on bilateral international relationships that will deliver significant economic benefits.”

Geelong chief executive Ali Wastie said the hub’s opening sent a message that Geelong was serious about international engagement and being a global city.

“Geelong has been a multi-cultural city for decades and will continue to evolve on the world stage, supported by all levels of government, educators, industry and key organisations like Cultura,” Wastie said.

“I also welcome the opportunity to bring more business, industry, government and diplomatic leaders into Wurriki Nyal. Our civic precinct is ideally positioned for people to come together and speak together, as its name says, with great benefits for our broader community of bilateral collaboration.”

Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong chief executive David Buchanan said the Global Hub would provide a practical front door for international engagement.