The state’s leading business organisation is gathering in Newcastle this week to help solidify the Hunter’s position as NSW’s second global gateway.

High-powered board and executive representatives from the peak business organisation Business NSW team have toured key strategic sites at the Port of Newcastle and Newcastle Airport.

Hosted by Business Hunter, enterprise leaders have also been gaining insights from member businesses Tulloch Wines, Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group and advanced engineering firm Varley Group.

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes said, “the visit has been an ideal opportunity for Business Hunter and its members to highlight the significance of the Hunter region and reinforce the important messages we have for broader stakeholders about challenges and opportunities in the region”.

Business NSW CEO Daniel Hunter said “the value of the Hunter region to the NSW and national economies is a standout. Whilst the challenges for businesses in the region are the same for others across NSW, the energy transition and evolving economic transformation put a sharper focus on the Hunter”.

“We’ve heard about the ambitions for growth in Defence, manufacturing, the visitor economy, agriculture, international trade and the new energy economy in the region,” Mr Hunter said.

“It’s clear a collaborative effort across the community, business and government is going to be required if those challenges are met and the opportunities realised.

“Business NSW works closely with Business Hunter to be a powerful voice to government on these matters and the visit really reinforces the determination to continue to carry this forward in the interests of the state and the nation.”

Business NSW President Joseph Carrozzi said “the change happening in the region is nothing short of impressive. The innovation and resilience of the Hunter region’s businesses have been especially impressive when you consider constraints around workforce and skills, housing and the costs of doing business”.

“Hearing firsthand from the regions across NSW as we do in Business NSW is a vital connector to understand where in reality, a lot of the future growth in this state will come from” Mr Carrozzi said.

“The issues around housing, workforce and business costs will need to be tackled if growth is to be realised.”

Media enquiries: Bob Hawes 0418 496 745

Bob Hawes, Dan Hunter and Joseph Carrozzi will be in attendance at the media conference for interview.