Premier departs for United States trade and investment mission

Jobs, investment and growing the economy are the focus as Premier Campbell Newman departs for the United States of America to build on the state’s strong international ties.

Mr Newman is leading a group of companies to Los Angeles, New York and Houston from 6-15 March, and said the trade mission is important for Queensland.

“Queensland has a great story to tell, with an economy that is growing faster than any other state in Australia – a dramatic contrast to the State under the former Labor government,” Mr Newman said.

“It’s important that we promote and build on this success and we can do so with this trade mission.

“The US has pioneered the way in developing many of the world’s major industries and with this trip we will encourage investment in some of the Queensland’s major projects.

“By partnering with American investors not only will we be able to draw on their financial contribution to Queensland, but we will be able to draw on their vast industry knowledge and experience.

“There are 20,000 more Queenslanders in a job today than there were 12 months ago and more investment will grow this number further.

“In Los Angeles I’ll be holding meetings with representatives from the California Institute of Technology’s Geological Survey project, a leading group in the research of natural disaster detection and management.

“Queensland has had its share of natural disasters and this research will help us to develop better systems to cope with these unfortunate events, helping us to minimise the impacts.

Mr Newman said tourism will also be on the agenda, delivering on the election promise to grow the industry as one of the four pillars of the economy, after years of Labor neglect.

“What better way to promote our State’s largest employer than by hosting some of America’s peak travel trade groups at a Queensland themed beach party,” he said.

“This event will showcase some of Queensland’s most exciting tourism offerings, further confirming our state’s iconic status in the US as a leading holiday destination.

“In New York we will inspect the progression of New York’s Eastern Rail project which has great relevance to Queensland’s underground bus and rail network.

“This major piece of infrastructure will join Manhattan with New York State’s eastern reaches through an extensive and state of the art underground rail system.

“Queensland will be able to learn a lot from this development, as we progress our own innovative project.

“The trip’s Texas itinerary will focus on finding more investment opportunities for our State’s resources and agricultural industries, which we also promised to grow.

“Our visit to Houston will see us meet with our US partners to discuss the progress of LNG plants in Gladstone and to discuss new technologies to improve CSG extraction.

“Queensland’s prosperity can be improved as we strengthen our place in the international economy.

“We look forward to building on our position throughout this trade mission and securing opportunities for Queensland companies.”

[ENDS] 6 March 2014

Media contact: Premier’s Office 3719 7000