Queensland and Nevada become Sister States

WASHINGTON DC, USA: Queensland and the US state of Nevada are now Sister States, with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Governor of Nevada, The Honourable Brian Sandoval.
 
Building the success of the Statement of Intent signed by both leaders in Brisbane in August 2016, the five-year Sister State MoU will further encourage joint cooperation across vital industries such as mining, renewable energy, tourism, water management, higher education, and innovation and technology.
 
“Despite the distance between us, Queensland and Nevada share a lot of common ground,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
 
“We share a passion for innovation and developing new, sustainable technologies for emerging and established industries, and our tourism and education sectors are massive job creators,” she said.
 
“Governor Sandoval and I are committed to making the most of our states’ mutual interests and strengths, and drawing benefit from one another’s expertise in tackling challenges unique to our people.
 
“We welcome today’s signing as an act of friendship andeconomic collaboration.”
 
The Premier said Queensland and Nevada becoming Sister States would open up new partnerships within the mining and resources and water technology and management sectors, which would support the adoption of new technologies, health and safety practices, and environmental sustainability methods.
 
“Queensland METS companies are already exporting their expertise and technologies into the US, including JESI Management Solutions, Hydrus Technology, SmartCap, Mine Energy Solutions, Australia Diversified Engineering, and radar manufacturer Groundprobe,” the Premier said.
 
“Queensland digital company RedEye has opened its North American headquarters in Nevada and entered a strategic partnership with Las Vegas-based WaterStart.
 
“This new Sister State MoU will help even more Queensland innovators and manufacturers to get a foot in the door of the lucrative US market.
 
“Queensland University of Technology and the University of Nevada have agreed to collaborate on a number of high-tech projects including driverless vehicle technology, and our state’s renewable energy expertsare set to benefit greatly from engaging with those in Nevada running a solar thermal power facility in the desert and building the largest battery factory in the world,” she said.
 
“I look forward to Queensland and Nevada working closely together as Sister States to advance ourindustries, boost our tourism, strengthen our trade ties and benefit our people,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
 
This is Queensland’s third Sister State relationship withthe United States. Queensland is already Sister States with Texas (established 2014) and South Carolina(established 1999).
 
The Premier is currently leading a 10-day trade and investment mission to the United States, visiting New York, Washington and Los Angeles.
 
Images and vision of the Sister State agreement signing can be found here.
 
Media Contact: Kirby Anderson (Premier’s office) 0417 263 791