High potential for Hutt business opportunities

A Hutt City sister-city visit to Tempe in Arizona led by Mayor Ray Wallace is generating a positive spin for Lower Hutt business.

Ending an intense week of meeting business organisations and corporate business operators, Mayor Wallace said from Tempe today (7 October) the delegation had received an open and warm response.

“Our business meetings were very productive, particularly with the Tempe Chamber of commerce, State University of Arizona and high tech companies.”

The delegation includes representative from five businesses and business organisations including the Open Polytechnic NZ which has a strong interest in developing links with science-based industries.

Mayor Wallace said there were opportunities to link private and public enterprises with learning institutions to develop a mix that would benefit Lower Hutt.

Delegates visited the Skysong Innovation Centre within the precinct of the Arizona State University which was developed as partnership project between the city council, university and private sector. It promotes business growth and assists start-up enterprises.

“Lower Hutt businesses could access low-cost advice provided by the centre when considering doing business in Tempe and the United States,” he said.

The Hutt group is also exploring business opportunities with other delegations visiting Tempe.

President of Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, Helen Down, said being part of the Mayoral business delegation provided introductions for Lower Hutt businesses that would not have been possible by trying to operate independently.

“We met key people who can now pave the way for our Hutt businesses to earn export dollars,” she said.

Mayor Wallace also made a formal presentation to an international forum including other sister cities from France, Germany, Japan and China which are also attending the Tempe sister city business forum.

The visit also marked the 30th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Lower Hutt and Tempe.

Hutt City Councillors Roger Styles and Margaret Cousins accompanied the Mayor.