Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Campbell Newman today announced that recent flooding would not stop the 2011 Asia Pacific Cities Summit from being held in Brisbane as the city continues to get back to business.

The announcement follows this week’s extraordinary meeting of Brisbane business leaders, called by the Lord Mayor to work on a plan to ensure business recovery following the flood crisis.

Cr Newman said at the meeting, business leaders had resoundingly expressed the need for the Summit to go ahead.

“Just weeks after the city was inundated by floodwaters Brisbane is back on its feet and this Summit will take place in July,” Cr Newman said.

“The Asia Pacific Cities Summit attracts over 1000 delegates from 100 cities and will provide an important economic boost for the region.

The Lord Mayor said that it was important for business confidence that the July summit, which was started by Brisbane City Council and rotates between Brisbane and an international city biannually, go ahead.

“Brisbane’s diverse economy can absorb and rebound from natural disasters and the Asia Pacific Cities Summit will be fantastic way for local businesses to show this off to the rest of the nation and the international community.”

Cr Newman said the $1.8 million summit offered both Australian and international participants the opportunity to showcase their brand to business and industry leaders, government decision makers and the mayors and their civic counterparts from over 100 cities around the world.

“For the last 14 years the Asia Pacific Cities Summit has been a key to unlocking the world’s fastest growing market – Asia – for many Brisbane businesses and vice versa,” Cr Newman said.

“One of the standout features of the summit is a business-matching program allowing companies from Australia and around the world to be introduced to relevant customers, clients, suppliers, investors and partners.”

Cr Newman said the 2011 Asia Pacific Cities Summit would be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 6-8 July 2011.

He said this year’s particular focus would be on promoting businesses in creative and digital industries, education, food and agribusiness, infrastructure, marine, mining, telecommunications, transport, clean technology, environmental management, innovative manufacturing and urban development.Â

Businesses wanting to register their interest in attending should contact the Summit Secretariat by email at InternationalRelations@brisbane.qld.gov.au

The 2009 Asia Pacific Cities Summit was held in Incheon, Korea. For further details go to http://www.apcsummit.org.