Minister seeks opportunities for Queensland businesses

Seoul: Korean investment in development projects here and overseas will present significant opportunities for Queensland’s construction and related services companies.

Minister for Trade John Mickel, currently leading a Trade Mission to the Korea International Boat Show, met this morning with representatives of Korean company Lotte Engineering and Construction, who have announced a further A$218 million investment to build 220 houses for aged-persons in Southport development projects.

“This multi-million dollar announcement from Lotte Engineering and Construction comes on top of their commitment to invest A$552 million to build 470 houses in Little Beach at Paradise Point on the Gold Coast,’’ he said.

“It is expected that their Little Beach project will commence in September 2008 with a target completion date of November 2011. Both Queensland-based projects will present business opportunities for Queensland’s highly skilled and professional construction and construction services industries.

“I congratulate Lotte Engineering and Construction on choosing our state as a stable and productive destination for the company’s investment dollars. I look forward to working with them and helping them to link with our experienced Queensland companies,” Mr Mickel said.

Mr Mickel visited Incheon yesterday, undertaking a tour of Songdo Technopark in the Incheon Free Economic Zone arranged by the Incheon City Government. He joined Metropolitan City Mayor Mr Sang-Soo Ahn at a lunch to discuss co-operation for the 2009 Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) and other international events scheduled in Incheon.

“Major events such as the 2014 Asian Games and World City Expo 2009 will also be held in Incheon.

“Certainly, Queensland has the runs on the board when it comes to organising, administering and construction for world-significant events. The Asian Games in 2014 present yet another opportunity for Queensland businesses specialising in sport and event management and construction,” he said.

Incheon, located 28 kilometres from Seoul, is developing as Korea’s third largest city with a population of 2.6 million people.

Media contact: John Smith 32271944 or Shannon Mackay 3237 1125

June 10, 2008