Queensland strengthens trade and investment options with United States

WASHINGTON DC, USA: Queensland has re-affirmed its trade and investment priorities in the United States with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk meeting senior Queensland business leaders and their U.S. counterparts in Washington DC.

In the latest positive development of the Premier’s trade and investment mission, Premier Palaszczuk said Queensland’s relationship with the U.S. was one of its most significant and provided a robust foundation for growing the economy.

“Our partnership with the U.S. has never been more important with two-way trade between us valued at $7 billion in the last financial year. This feeds into our record $69.6 billion from exports, which is an increase of $14.3 billion on the previous year,” the Premier said.

“Queensland’s trade and investment priorities include infrastructure, renewable energy, mining and resources, food and agribusiness, and these provide a platform for healthy negotiations between ourselves and the U.S. for our mutual benefit.”

Queensland’s major exports to the U.S. include meat, non-ferrous metals, transport equipment and coal, with the likes of transport equipment, road vehicles and industrial machinery heading in the opposite direction.

Another area reaping rich rewards for Queensland is tourism, and Premier Palaszczuk said it was important to develop this.  

“Almost a quarter of a million U.S. tourists visited Queensland in the last year, making it our third largest visitor market, so the relationship between Queensland and the United States is prospering in many ways,” the Premier said.

“Trade and investment are built on strong relationships and common goals, and it is clear from our discussions with some of America’s leading executives that the ties that bind Queensland and the United States are substantial, resilient and long-lasting.”

The Premier is currently leading a 10-day trade and investment mission to the United States, visiting New York, Washington and Los Angeles.

The Premier is travelling to Los Angeles for meetings with studios in a bid to secure additional film production and jobs for Queensland.

For more information about Queensland’s trade relationships, www.tiq.qld.gov.au

Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Premier's office) 0417 263 791