Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick has launched the State’s Pacific Trade Strategy.
The Treasurer made the announcement while addressing PNG Government and business leaders and representatives of the Australia PNG Business Council in Port Moresby this morning.
“Queensland is Australia’s Pacific state,” the Treasurer said.
“Queensland’s Pacific Trade Strategy will enable us to enhance and expand our existing relationships and develop new alliances for the collective benefit of our region.
“The deep connections between Queensland and Pacific nations, especially Papua New Guinea, have a very long and meaningful history.”
“I want to ensure that Queensland strengthens those relationships with our closest Pacific trading partners now and into the future.”
The Pacific Trade Strategy will focus on key export partners across Melanesia and Polynesia, including Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.
“To facilitate our increased engagement, we will appoint a Queensland Trade Commissioner for the Pacific within Trade and Investment Queensland, our state’s global trade agency,” the Treasurer said.
“To support our Pacific Trade Commissioner, we will appoint a business development specialist in Papua New Guinea, to help drive trade and investment opportunities for Queensland businesses in PNG, as well as support economic and trade opportunities identified by the government and business community in PNG.
“Our Pacific strategy will be the additional $150 million we are investing to support Queensland exporters and attract investment in Queensland over the next decade.”
“As part of our Pacific strategy, we will also strengthen TIQ’s office in New Zealand by appointing a business development specialist in Auckland who will have responsibility for Polynesian nations, including Samoa and Tonga.
“We also recognise the importance of Pacific Business Councils and organisations, including Tradelinked Cairns.
“That’s why we will provide them with additional funding and support for regional trade events as part of our new strategy.”
The Treasurer said further strengthening Queensland’s international network in the Pacific will contribute to fostering a strong, stable and prosperous region.
“We aim to support greater resilience in our region, while growing a stronger Pacific community for us all.”
Over the last three years, Trade and Investment Queensland has assisted Queensland businesses achieve an annual average of 336 commercial outcomes, valued at over $1 billion. Queensland currently generates one in two of the nation’s export dollars.
The Commissioner will be part of the Trade and Investment Queensland international network and aligns with TIQ’s 10-year strategy.
The Queensland Trade and Investment Strategy 2022-2032 highlights that one in five Queensland jobs is supported by exports.
Trade and Investment Queensland is the state government’s world-wide business agency with 18 offices in 14 key markets. The agency also has 8 regional offices and a Brisbane head office.
