Thanks to the EEG forum for this heads up.
Does the name Landbridge bring a shiver to any spines here?
THE world’s fourth largest company wants to do business with the NT, according to Chief Minister Michael Gunner.
Mr Gunner is in China this week marketing the Territory to foreign investors and aiming to boost the NT economy.
In Beijing, NT Government representatives met with China National Petroleum Corporation, a company worth about $400 billion.
Mr Gunner said the multinational corporation wants to launch a joint investigative task force with the NT Government to explore opportunities around on- and off-shore oil and gas projects in the NT.
“CNPS is one of the largest companies in the world and they have an active interest in getting involved in the NT,” he said.
According to Mr Gunner, the ball is already rolling on a number of new investment opportunities.
“There is a strong appetitite for the NT in China,” he said.
The Chief Minister branded a meeting with Chinese-government owned manufacturing company Sinosteel as “excellent” — and said it was keen to cash in on the Territory’s mining potential.
“Sinosteel offered to get together a collection of Chinese businesses to have a conversation about the opportunities in the NT,” he said.
“Sinosteel thinks there is huge opportunities around Darwin and the land we have there — with the oil and gas coming on.”
The NT Government is meeting with Landbridge Group on Wednesday to discuss the Chinese mega giant’s major Darwin-based projects, which include Berrimah’s industry and logistics park, Darwin Port, and the luxury hotel.
On Tuesday Mr Gunner spoke at the China-Australia Chamber of Commerce, a NGO advocacy group which helped Aussie companies do business in China.
AustCham deputy chair Tom Luckock said there were significant opportunities for foreign investment in the NT — particularly in mining, tourism, and agriculture industries.
“Particularly the belt and road — rail links, oil and gas developments, roads, power — all of these are the sweet spot,” he said.
NT Opposition Leader Gary Higgins isn’t as optimistic about the Gunner Government’s China trade visit, calling on the Chief Minister to prove it will generate a clear return for struggling Territorians
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