Palaszczuk Government helping Queensland companies set up in the Middle East

Supporting and promoting Queensland businesses is top of the agenda for Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad on her trade and investment mission to the Middle East.

Ms Trad will officially open the Queensland Innovation Hub, which has been set up to help Queensland companies establish their operations in Dubai South, one of the world’s largest master planned communities.

“I’m excited to be back in the Middle East to build on the great relationship Queensland has established with the United Arab Emirates and to support local companies to get their foot in the door,” Ms Trad said.

“Our government is helping Queensland businesses to grow and the success stories coming out of Dubai South show that our approach is working.

“There are a number of outstanding Queensland businesses helping support the ambitious vision to make the Dubai South development a smart and sustainable city.

“Providing companies with an office space at the Queensland Innovation Hub means they can establish a presence in-market quickly and economically and access business opportunities across the Middle East.”

Ms Trad will attend the signing of an agreement between Ipswich-based sustainable waste management business, NuGrow, and Dubai South to establish a recycling and waste management facility at Dubai South, which is expected to be operational by the end of the year.

Other agreements being signed during Ms Trad’s trade mission include:

• A comprehensive memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Roads and Transport Authority Dubai (RTA) and Gold Coast-business Transit Australia Group to provide professional advice, services and products to address the expanding transit needs and requirements of Dubai and to work with the RTA to develop its electric bus trials.
• An MOU between leading Queensland medical research institute QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and Dubai Health Authority to test and develop medical research and technologies.

Finally, Ms Trad will be also re-signing the Sister State MOU between Queensland and Abu Dhabi, which was first signed in 2009.

“Queensland and Abu Dhabi have lot in common including our climates, our coastlines and our deserts,” she said.

“This MOU reaffirms our relationship, which was galvanised by the $30 million contribution to Queensland for cyclone shelters by Abu Dhabi following the devastating 2011 floods.”

This mission follows an earlier trade mission by Ms Trad to the region in September 2016.

Queensland exports to the UAE were valued at $342.5 million in 2016-17, up 16 per cent on the previous 12 months.

ENDS

Media Contact: Clare Manton 0432 446 268