Published Wednesday, 02 May, 2007 at 03:00 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
SISTER-STATE AGREEMENT TO BOOST EXPORTS TO GUANGDONG
HONG KONG: Queensland is looking to develop a new Sister State agreement with the boom Chinese province of Guangdong.
Premier and Minister for Trade Peter Beattie said the Queensland Government and the Guangdong provincial government were both enthusiastic about the potential for a Sister State Agreement, to be formally known as a Friendship Province Agreement, to open up trade and investment opportunities.
“Officials from both regions have begun drafting the agreement which I hope to formalise by the end of the year,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie, who is currently on a three-nation trade mission, will be meeting with a delegation from Guangzhou in Boston, Massachusetts, as part of BIO-007, the world’s biggest biotechnology conference, to further progress the relationship.
“Guangdong Province is China’s fastest growing and the largest provincial economy and produces 30 per cent of China’s exports,” Mr Beattie said.
"Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, is the biggest city in the Pearl River Delta, and home to 30 million people with the highest per capita disposable income in the country.
“Guangdong’s urban residents also lead the country in spending on travel, telecommunications and foreign education and training.
“The proposed agreement would focus on sustainable development,
environmental management, urban planning, biotechnology, education and training, Tourism, health and medical research.
“The agreement will look to encourage small to medium sized Queensland enterprises to gain access to the Guangdong Province as a platform for entering China's Pearl River Delta market which boasts half a billion consumers."
Mr Beattie said the Guangdong Provincial Government last year launched its eleventh five-year plan. The plan involved investment of about $25 billion in 233 key projects in the areas of transportation, power supply, chemical industry, water resources, environmental protection, innovation and rural area development.
“A Queensland Trade and Investment office was established in Guangzhou last month,” Mr Beattie said.
“Its primary aim is to strengthen Smart State’s market ties in the region and create new business opportunities for Queensland companies. The more business we can do with a Guangdong, the more new jobs we create in Queensland,” said Mr Beattie.
Mr Beattie said China, which is Queensland’s fourth largest market, is now an easier place for Queensland companies to do business.
"Queensland’s exports to the People’s Republic of China topped $2.7 billion in 2005-2006 and China’s continued regulatory reform and meteoric economic rise is generating a raft of export opportunities for Queensland businesses.’’
"These include mining services and equipment, planning and design, water treatment, education and training services as well as beef, horticulture, marine and infrastructure projects in the lead up to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.’’
Media enquiries: Premier’s office 3224 4500
2 May 2007
Premier and Minister for Trade Peter Beattie said the Queensland Government and the Guangdong provincial government were both enthusiastic about the potential for a Sister State Agreement, to be formally known as a Friendship Province Agreement, to open up trade and investment opportunities.
“Officials from both regions have begun drafting the agreement which I hope to formalise by the end of the year,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie, who is currently on a three-nation trade mission, will be meeting with a delegation from Guangzhou in Boston, Massachusetts, as part of BIO-007, the world’s biggest biotechnology conference, to further progress the relationship.
“Guangdong Province is China’s fastest growing and the largest provincial economy and produces 30 per cent of China’s exports,” Mr Beattie said.
"Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, is the biggest city in the Pearl River Delta, and home to 30 million people with the highest per capita disposable income in the country.
“Guangdong’s urban residents also lead the country in spending on travel, telecommunications and foreign education and training.
“The proposed agreement would focus on sustainable development,
environmental management, urban planning, biotechnology, education and training, Tourism, health and medical research.
“The agreement will look to encourage small to medium sized Queensland enterprises to gain access to the Guangdong Province as a platform for entering China's Pearl River Delta market which boasts half a billion consumers."
Mr Beattie said the Guangdong Provincial Government last year launched its eleventh five-year plan. The plan involved investment of about $25 billion in 233 key projects in the areas of transportation, power supply, chemical industry, water resources, environmental protection, innovation and rural area development.
“A Queensland Trade and Investment office was established in Guangzhou last month,” Mr Beattie said.
“Its primary aim is to strengthen Smart State’s market ties in the region and create new business opportunities for Queensland companies. The more business we can do with a Guangdong, the more new jobs we create in Queensland,” said Mr Beattie.
Mr Beattie said China, which is Queensland’s fourth largest market, is now an easier place for Queensland companies to do business.
"Queensland’s exports to the People’s Republic of China topped $2.7 billion in 2005-2006 and China’s continued regulatory reform and meteoric economic rise is generating a raft of export opportunities for Queensland businesses.’’
"These include mining services and equipment, planning and design, water treatment, education and training services as well as beef, horticulture, marine and infrastructure projects in the lead up to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.’’
Media enquiries: Premier’s office 3224 4500
2 May 2007