Dunedin has been in the diplomatic spotlight this week, during a three-day visit from several Asean country ambassadors to New Zealand.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister John Key launched New Zealand's Asean strategy, which aims to boost investment, trade and economic returns from the region.
The 10 countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations provided opportunities to increase trade and the region's 610 million people comprised nearly a tenth of the world's population, he said.
The strategy launch, on July 12, has been followed by a series of roadshow events and visits throughout the country, including the Asean group's visit to Dunedin, which ended yesterday.
The ambassadors chose Dunedin for their main New Zealand regional visit this year, and aimed to promote ''a greater awareness of Asean, especially for business and trade opportunities'', officials said.
Otago Polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker attended a session with the ambassadors, invited guests and Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull at the Dunedin Municipal Chambers yesterday, during which ''Dunedin's Economic Development Strategy'' for the next 10 years was outlined. This included developing ''linkages beyond our borders''.
Mr Ker said the ambassadorial visit provided Dunedin with a ''golden opportunity'' to promote its successful business and educational activities and develop further overseas links.
The number of international students attending the polytechnic was rising rapidly, and Dunedin's business community's many success stories deserved to be much more widely known, he said. Malaysian High Commissioner Rosmidah Zahid, who headed the ambassadorial delegation, said a series of ''very good'' meetings had included visits to city businesses, the University of Otago and the polytechnic.
Among other diplomats present were the Ambassador of Thailand, Noppadon Theppitak, the Ambassador of Vietnam, Mr Hong Cuong Nguyen, and the Ambassador of the Philippines, Virginia H. Benavidez.
