QUEENSLAND STRENGTHENS TRADE PRESENCE IN UAE
Published Thursday, 09 November, 2006 at 01:00 AM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
ABU DHABI: Queensland has increased its visibility in the United Arab Emirates to boost trade and investment opportunities, Premier Peter and Minister for Trade Beattie announced last night.
“Queensland now has a full-time representative in Abu Dhabi, making us the first Australian state or territory to do so in this city,” he said.
“I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Youhanna Yassa to the role.
“Increasing our visibility in Abu Dhabi is an important trade milestone and adds significant weight to the 1999 Memorandum of Understanding between the city and my Government.”
Mr Beattie said the United Arab Emirates has one of the highest per capita incomes in the Middle East and its rapid growth is driving up demand for imported goods and services.
“Along with a building and construction boom, there’s rising demand for expertise in areas such as engineering and financial services, education and training, as well as information and communications technology,” Mr Beattie said.
“And we’re already seeing Queensland firms picking up the business. Take Cardno. It has beaten strong international competition to win a major engineering contract with the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority to privatise sewerage reticulation and treatment assets worth more than AUS $1 billion.
“Another Queensland business making inroads is GRM International which has just signed a major contract with the Abu Dhabi Environmental Agency to survey soils.
“Queensland-based ML Design, which specialises in architecture, master planning, urban and interior design, has even opened an office in Abu Dhabi.
“By establishing trade representation here, the Queensland Government can provide in-market support to help more Queensland exporters and promote the Smart State’s many trade strengths and investment opportunities.”
Mr Beattie said the new trade representative will also play a role in promoting Queensland as the number one tourism destination of choice. Already more than 16,000 Middle Eastern tourists holiday in Queensland each year.
Last night Mr Beattie attended the 6th Annual Business Group Forum dinner which attracts up to 1000 leading business representatives from around the world.
Mr Beattie is leading a 12-day trade mission to the Middle East, United Kingdom, Monaco, Italy and Berlin.
Media Contact: Premier’s Office 07 3224 4500
“Queensland now has a full-time representative in Abu Dhabi, making us the first Australian state or territory to do so in this city,” he said.
“I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Youhanna Yassa to the role.
“Increasing our visibility in Abu Dhabi is an important trade milestone and adds significant weight to the 1999 Memorandum of Understanding between the city and my Government.”
Mr Beattie said the United Arab Emirates has one of the highest per capita incomes in the Middle East and its rapid growth is driving up demand for imported goods and services.
“Along with a building and construction boom, there’s rising demand for expertise in areas such as engineering and financial services, education and training, as well as information and communications technology,” Mr Beattie said.
“And we’re already seeing Queensland firms picking up the business. Take Cardno. It has beaten strong international competition to win a major engineering contract with the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority to privatise sewerage reticulation and treatment assets worth more than AUS $1 billion.
“Another Queensland business making inroads is GRM International which has just signed a major contract with the Abu Dhabi Environmental Agency to survey soils.
“Queensland-based ML Design, which specialises in architecture, master planning, urban and interior design, has even opened an office in Abu Dhabi.
“By establishing trade representation here, the Queensland Government can provide in-market support to help more Queensland exporters and promote the Smart State’s many trade strengths and investment opportunities.”
Mr Beattie said the new trade representative will also play a role in promoting Queensland as the number one tourism destination of choice. Already more than 16,000 Middle Eastern tourists holiday in Queensland each year.
Last night Mr Beattie attended the 6th Annual Business Group Forum dinner which attracts up to 1000 leading business representatives from around the world.
Mr Beattie is leading a 12-day trade mission to the Middle East, United Kingdom, Monaco, Italy and Berlin.
Media Contact: Premier’s Office 07 3224 4500