BIOTECH, CLEAN COAL AND IT FOCUS OF ITALIAN TRADE TALKS

ITALY: Premier and Minister for Trade Peter Beattie has completed trade talks in Northern Italy as part of his 12-day trade mission to the Middle East and Europe.

"Italy is Queensland’s third largest export destination in Europe and forging important partnerships here will increase the trade and investment potential for the Smart State for years to come," Mr Beattie said.

In Milan Mr Beattie signed a Protocol of Cooperation with the President of the Lombardy Region to build opportunities for business and scientific collaboration.

Mr Beattie also met with business leader Mr Andrea Clavarino, Director General of Italian Coal Operations Association, Assocarboni, and Managing Director of coal supplier Coelclerici.

"Given the world’s dwindling oil supplies and the high cost of gas and oil, Italy is moving to coal for power generation and that means there are real opportunities to share our expertise in clean coal technology," said the Premier.

"For example, with the Italian public demanding clean energy, Assocarboni has expressed keen interest in Queensland’s high-quality low sulphur coal and our clean coal expertise."

In his meeting with Mr Claravino, the Premier discussed the conversion of three Italian power stations to clean coal and opportunities to invest in Queensland’s cutting-edge research in this area.

Mr Beattie also this week announced a major Italian business delegation, Promos, will be visiting Queensland in the first half of 2007 to develop ties and business opportunities with Smart State companies.

And, he said, the Smart State’s drive to become the centre of Asia-Pacific operations for the AUS $6 billion Galileo Project, which is developing global navigation satellite systems, was the key topic of a meeting with Mr Rodolfo Zich, Board President of Torino Wireless Foundation.

"On November 20th, Queensland companies will get to showcase our strengths in this area when our European counterparts attend the Galileo Joint Undertaking Workshop in Brisbane."

The Premier leaves for Berlin today.

Media Contact: Premier’s Office 07 3224 4500.