The Hunter is in the spotlight this week for potential global investors, with the NSW government bringing ambassadors from 14 nations - as well as the European Union - to town to get a glimpse of some innovative work taking place in the region.
Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic and Spain are represented in the two-day trade mission, which began yesterday.
The ambassadors spent yesterday at Williamtown's aero-tech precinct, before taking a tour of Ampcontrol at Tomago.
They are expected to visit the Newcastle Institute for Energy Resources and the CSIRO Energy Centre today.
"Showcasing the Hunter region's investment opportunities to key global decision makers will help forge new relationships for local businesses, inject money into the local economy, create new jobs and drive growth," said Deputy Premier John Barilaro, who is leading the trade mission.
"Global companies have shown renewed interest in regional NSW off the back of our strong response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we're already hearing from companies looking to expand operations locally and invest in our technology.
"The Hunter's skilled workforce, access to markets and world-class research and development centres make it an ideal location for business to thrive, and I'm thrilled to be able to show this corner of the world to potential international investors."
The ambassadors toured Astra Aerolab after arriving in the region yesterday, before they were talked through the Bohemia Initiative - cutting edge computer software technology used for training military units across the globe, which is cheaper than traditional simulators.
Some of the visitors took the opportunity to try their hand at training programs designed for gunners, tank drivers and other military operatives.
Portugal's ambassador, Pedro Rodrigues da Silva, attempted to fly an Apache helicopter using a virtual reality set-up.
"It is very interesting to know the technology developed for [video] gaming can be developed for the defence industry," he told the Newcastle Herald.
"Something like a start-up with an idea can be applicable to an industry and create jobs."
Denmark's ambassador Pernille Kardel told the Herald the Williamtown precinct would be "interesting" to Danish companies.
"We are obviously suppliers in the supply chain, we are not really the big companies, but this is interesting to be located in [a place] where it all fits together," she said.
Over at Ampcontrol's headquarters at Tomago later in the afternoon, the ambassadors inspected LAVO - the world's first hydrogen battery designed to be used in homes - as well as a solar and battery water purification system used in remote communities, an electric underground mining vehicle and a hybrid power supply designed to take rural customers off the grid.
Ampcontrol managing director and CEO Rod Henderson said the trade mission meant the Hunter had a chance to showcase its innovation, expertise and manufacturing capability.
"We get to showcase our skills, which are very, very high here in the Hunter," he said.
"But also, we might encourage investment from the European countries to come here and work with innovation partners we've got here - whether it be us or the university or any of the other great innovators that are sitting here in the Hunter."
