Queensland business shines in India

Queensland company Populous has secured the Master Plan and Design contract for a major Convention Centre and Trade Zone at Bhubaneswar in India.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney, who has been on a Trade Mission to India this week, congratulated the company and said the contract was a great example of how Queensland businesses were leading the way internationally.

“So many great trade opportunities exist between Australia and India and this proves Queensland businesses are ahead of the rest,” Mr Seeney said.

“While this is a significant achievement for Populous it is also a win for Trade and Investment Queensland that has been assisting with the negotiations.

“India is an enormous emerging market for Queensland and this government is working hard to make the most of the opportunities that exist.

“This is the third Convention Centre project Populous has won in India in 15 months and evidence of Queensland’s ability to profit from the international demand for skills and infrastructure.

“The best years of the Queensland and India trade relationship are ahead of us and we will continue to develop new ways to improve that relationship.”

The Populous project involves the master planning and detailed design of a Convention and Exhibition centre on a 10 hectare site.

It will include 4,000 square metres of indoor exhibition space, a multi-use Convention Hall, a 250 room hotel, a world trade tower and a large open exhibition space.

Populous will manage the project from its Asian headquarters in Queensland and its Indian offices.

Populous Senior Principal Andrew James said the scale and multifunctional nature of the project reflected the dynamism of India.

“The precinct will be designed to be flexible enough to cater for a myriad of community uses from conventions, exhibitions and trade fairs to religious meetings as well as major gatherings of professional groups such as medical associations,” Mr James said. 

Populous designed Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane and Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast.

[ENDS] 30 August 2013

Media Contact: Kate Haddan 0418 373 516