RELATED: Deal a step forward, but results will take time RELATED: China has close look at North's business potential A SERIES of agreements between Tasmania and China will strengthen the relationship with the emerging economy and build on the state's strengths, Premier Will Hodgman says. Mr Hodgman signed four memoranda of understanding in Canberra yesterday, before President Xi Jinping's historic visit to Tasmania today. The agreements, he said, would boost the state's agriculture and energy sectors, as well as strengthen Tasmania's sister relationship with Fujian province. "We value and appreciate our friendship with China, a sentiment reciprocated with Tasmania the only state to sign a MoU with China during President Xi Jinping's visit to Australia," Mr Hodgman said. "The memoranda will unlock investment opportunities, strengthen our sister state relationship with the Fujian province and build on our competitive strengths, including renewable energy and fruit production." Fruit Growers Tasmania business development manager Phil Pyke said an MoU with Shaanxi Province on co-operation in the fruit industry was fantastic for apple, berry and cherry growers. "It's absolutely amazing when you see the scale and interest in Tasmania from here," Mr Pyke said from China. "The response has been overwhelming." As well as agreeing to greater co-operation and sharing of technology, the MoU will pave the way for an international school of fruit industry. "It's about looking at what can be done in Tasmania beyond just investment in farms or agriculture products," Mr Pyke said. "This is really about taking it to the next step and building capacity in the industry." In a separate MoU, Hydro Tasmania and the Shenhua Group agreed to investigate the building of a small wind farm in the vicinity of an operating Woolnorth farm. Hydro chairman Grant Every-Burns said the farm would showcase the latest in Chinese technology. "The project would test the technical feasibility of new turbine generation technologies, including integration, operation and new design," Mr Every-Burns said. Also signed were agreements with the China Development Bank and Fujian province. The agreement with CDB - the world's largest wholesale bank - would streamline the process for Tasmanian companies seeking Chinese investment. The MoU would also give businesses greater access to Chinese markets.
A SERIES of agreements between Tasmania and China will strengthen the relationship with the emerging economy and build on the state's strengths, Premier Will Hodgman says.
Mr Hodgman signed four memoranda of understanding in Canberra yesterday, before President Xi Jinping's historic visit to Tasmania today.
The agreements, he said, would boost the state's agriculture and energy sectors, as well as strengthen Tasmania's sister relationship with Fujian province.
"We value and appreciate our friendship with China, a sentiment reciprocated with Tasmania the only state to sign a MoU with China during President Xi Jinping's visit to Australia," Mr Hodgman said.
"The memoranda will unlock investment opportunities, strengthen our sister state relationship with the Fujian province and build on our competitive strengths, including renewable energy and fruit production."
Fruit Growers Tasmania business development manager Phil Pyke said an MoU with Shaanxi Province on co-operation in the fruit industry was fantastic for apple, berry and cherry growers.
"It's absolutely amazing when you see the scale and interest in Tasmania from here," Mr Pyke said from China.
"The response has been overwhelming."
As well as agreeing to greater co-operation and sharing of technology, the MoU will pave the way for an international school of fruit industry.
"It's about looking at what can be done in Tasmania beyond just investment in farms or agriculture products," Mr Pyke said.
"This is really about taking it to the next step and building capacity in the industry."
In a separate MoU, Hydro Tasmania and the Shenhua Group agreed to investigate the building of a small wind farm in the vicinity of an operating Woolnorth farm.
Hydro chairman Grant Every-Burns said the farm would showcase the latest in Chinese technology.
"The project would test the technical feasibility of new turbine generation technologies, including integration, operation and new design," Mr Every-Burns said.
Also signed were agreements with the China Development Bank and Fujian province.
The agreement with CDB - the world's largest wholesale bank - would streamline the process for Tasmanian companies seeking Chinese investment.
The MoU would also give businesses greater access to Chinese markets.
