October 29, 2009: The establishment of a Sister City relationship between the Bega Valley Shire and the city of Ordus in Mongolia was proposed to Councillors this week.

Chinese businesswoman Helen Wu addressed the Council on the benefits such a relationship would bring to the Shire.

She said Ordus had become very wealthy in recent years through energy and mineral resources. Its four major exports were coal, natural gas, minerals and wool.

This great wealth had resulted in a surge in the development of educational and medical facilities that would provide training and employment opportunities for Australians.

Ms Wu said residents of Ordus were keen to invest in property and have their children educated in Australia which would provide an economic boon for the local economy.

The former deputy vice chancellor of Latrobe University, Professor Graham McDowell, who accompanied Ms Wu to the Bega Valley, said Mildura in Victoria had 30 Chinese students studying at the local TAFE college since entering a Sister City arrangement with a Chinese community.

He said industries such as health and aged care, forestry, solar technology and the dairy industry could benefit from a relationship with China.

He urged Councillors send a delegation of local people from various industries to Ordus next March to discuss pursuing a Sister City arrangement.

After the presentation Mayor Tony Allen said the proposal would now go to Council for discussion.