‘Green’ FNQ firms learn how to grow into global businesses
Published Thursday, 15 November, 2007 at 11:02 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Far Northern businesses with environmental expertise can find out how to better capitalise on their tropical know-how in world markets at a special workshop in Cairns tomorrow (Friday, November 16).
Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle, also the Member for Cairns, said the global environment sector was worth hundreds of billions of dollars and presented a wealth of opportunities for firms in the Wet Tropics.
“Communities right around the world are facing challenges associated with urbanisation, climate change and population growth,” Ms Boyle said.
“Far North Queensland businesses and researchers are developing unique ways of addressing these problems, particularly in rapidly-growing tropical nations.
“The workshop is for businesses that are creating ways to measure, prevent, limit or correct environment problems, such as water and waste pollution.
“Local businesses have expertise in managing water and other natural resources efficiently, as well as in energy and waste technologies. Many firms are already selling their goods and services to places like Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Vietnam as well as China, which has 16 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities.”
Ms Boyle said the workshop Harnessing opportunities in Tropical Environmental Management and Services would provide information to help the region seize more business.
The Queensland Environment Industry: Profile and Trends Report 2006 shows that the world market for environmental companies was valued at US$515 billion in 2000, and was forecast to increase to US$688 billion by 2010.
“Businesses will be able to find out more about the range of opportunities identified in this study,” Ms Boyle said.
Dr Geraldine McGuire from Yungaburra-based Sustainable Solutions Consulting, which coordinates environment projects, will talk about work available in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Laos.
The company works with private sector firms, government and other organisations on projects such as managing sustainable community developments, the safe closure of mines and the rehabilitation of damaged eco-systems.
“For example, with mining, the team engages with communities and provides technical advice on how to minimise the environmental and social impacts from mine sites. Specialist consultants are often brought in to suit the specific needs of each project,” Ms Boyle said.
“Local firms have an advantage in winning jobs in South East Asia and the Pacific because they are attuned to living and working in the tropics.”
The environment industry forum is part of the Bligh Government’s Centre of Enterprise initiative, which has earmarked six Queensland regions for development based on their unique strengths and key opportunities.
Tropical expertise, regional aviation and marine services have been identified as the sectors that will have the greatest impact for Cairns and Far North Queensland.
The Harnessing opportunities in Tropical Environmental Management and Services forum is run by the Department of Tourism Regional Development and Industry and will be held in the Dunbar Room of the Holiday Inn, corner of Lake and Florence Sts, Cairns, from 7.30am-9.30am on Friday, November 16.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2004
15 November 2007
Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle, also the Member for Cairns, said the global environment sector was worth hundreds of billions of dollars and presented a wealth of opportunities for firms in the Wet Tropics.
“Communities right around the world are facing challenges associated with urbanisation, climate change and population growth,” Ms Boyle said.
“Far North Queensland businesses and researchers are developing unique ways of addressing these problems, particularly in rapidly-growing tropical nations.
“The workshop is for businesses that are creating ways to measure, prevent, limit or correct environment problems, such as water and waste pollution.
“Local businesses have expertise in managing water and other natural resources efficiently, as well as in energy and waste technologies. Many firms are already selling their goods and services to places like Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Vietnam as well as China, which has 16 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities.”
Ms Boyle said the workshop Harnessing opportunities in Tropical Environmental Management and Services would provide information to help the region seize more business.
The Queensland Environment Industry: Profile and Trends Report 2006 shows that the world market for environmental companies was valued at US$515 billion in 2000, and was forecast to increase to US$688 billion by 2010.
“Businesses will be able to find out more about the range of opportunities identified in this study,” Ms Boyle said.
Dr Geraldine McGuire from Yungaburra-based Sustainable Solutions Consulting, which coordinates environment projects, will talk about work available in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Laos.
The company works with private sector firms, government and other organisations on projects such as managing sustainable community developments, the safe closure of mines and the rehabilitation of damaged eco-systems.
“For example, with mining, the team engages with communities and provides technical advice on how to minimise the environmental and social impacts from mine sites. Specialist consultants are often brought in to suit the specific needs of each project,” Ms Boyle said.
“Local firms have an advantage in winning jobs in South East Asia and the Pacific because they are attuned to living and working in the tropics.”
The environment industry forum is part of the Bligh Government’s Centre of Enterprise initiative, which has earmarked six Queensland regions for development based on their unique strengths and key opportunities.
Tropical expertise, regional aviation and marine services have been identified as the sectors that will have the greatest impact for Cairns and Far North Queensland.
The Harnessing opportunities in Tropical Environmental Management and Services forum is run by the Department of Tourism Regional Development and Industry and will be held in the Dunbar Room of the Holiday Inn, corner of Lake and Florence Sts, Cairns, from 7.30am-9.30am on Friday, November 16.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2004
15 November 2007