Trade 2018 expands Commonwealth networks

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has revealed more than 2500 people participated inCommonwealth Games trade and investment events during the Games as part of a strategy to forge new business partnerships across the Commonwealth.

The Premier said over the course of the Games, 32 events were staged on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns, providing a platform for intra-Commonwealth trade and investment.

“We were able to attract 38 international delegations spanning 26 countries to the events and activities during the Commonwealth Games as a result of a year-long international engagement campaign,” she said.

“We had delegates join us from countries including England, India, Canada, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Singapore, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

“Early feedback from a survey of participants indicate more than 80 per cent of attendees identified business opportunities through participation in the Trade 2018 program, while more than 85 per cent said they had made new contacts or strengthened existing networks.

“Impressively, nearly 80 per cent said they had improved capability to expand their business, which is a fantastic result for all involved.” The Premier said international delegations also participated in site visits and familiarisation tours on the Gold Coast, Brisbane Townsville and Cairns, which included the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct.

“The Games are expected to generate additional exports and foreign direct investment of around $488 million in the next four years post-GC2018, and I’m looking forward to learning of the deals which are done on the back of Trade 2018.”

Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones said a highlight of the Trade 2018 program had been the keynote speech by The Economist’s Executive Editor Dr Daniel Franklin at ‘The Commonwealth: Business Advantages and Opportunities’ event on April 4.

“Trade 2018 was about leveraging the Commonwealth Games to strengthen our trade relationships and promote investment in Queensland,” she said. “The success of this program is a testament to the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to promoting Queensland to the rest of the world.”

Other highlights of the Trade 2018 program included ‘The Value of Sport – Maximising Opportunities in the Commonwealth’ event, which included the third Commonwealth Debate on Sport and Sustainable Development.

On April 7, the Right Honourable Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary General of the Commonwealth, launched three initiatives to boost intra-Commonwealth trade and investment. These included the Intra-Commonwealth Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Association and the Commonwealth Alliance for Young Entrepreneurs in Asia-Pacific, along with a new trade portal to assist business.

ENDS

Media contact:

Jack Harbour (Minister Jones' office) 0419 620 447

Michelle Wellington (Premier's office) 0437 323 834