International Business Cadets a valuable tool for Queensland exporters

Queensland’s International Business Cadets for 2008 will officially graduate on 18 August having gained first-hand overseas business experience and leaving behind a valuable legacy.

Minister for Trade John Mickel today met with the Cadets at Parliament House to mark their return to Queensland following more than four months overseas, and to recognise their learnings and achievements.

“I congratulate Queensland’s latest International Business Cadets, particularly Mr Li He and the contribution he has made to the Queensland economy,” Mr Mickel said.

“Mr He was sponsored by Russell Mineral Equipment (RME) and assisted them to secure a $5.5 million contract to supply a Mill Relining System to a Chinese client.

“The International Business Cadetship program sees each cadet employed for 29 weeks during which they perform research work on behalf of the Queensland organisation that is sponsoring them.

“Of the 29 week program, each cadet spends 20 weeks undertaking this research while based in one of Trade Queensland’s 13 overseas offices.

“Sponsors contribute $20,000 towards the overall cost of ‘their’ Cadet whilst also providing training to increase the cadet’s understanding of the organisation, it’s products and services. In return, the sponsor receives targeted market research that may provide an opportunity to improve export performance as demonstrated by Mr He’s involvement in RME’s new contract.

“By sponsoring an International Business Cadet, Queensland companies gain inside access to export market knowledge and overseas networks to increase export sales or attract investment to Queensland and the cadets gain invaluable international experience. The benefits are there for all parties.

“This year, four cadets were placed in Trade Queensland offices in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Seoul and Tokyo. The fourth Cadet returns to Queensland in October,” Mr Mickel said.

Details of 2008 International Business Cadets, sponsors and assignments are:

·Mr Li He - Shanghai - Russell Mineral Equipment sponsored Mr He to examine mining relining equipment and technology.

·Mr Greg Bell - Guangzhou – A consortium led by the Gold Coast City Council sponsored Mr Bell to research and explore opportunities for partnering Gold Coast environmental companies.

·Mr Mark Ranson - Seoul – Mr Ranson was sponsored by a Queensland business to identify emerging opportunities to deliver professional services in Korea.

·Ms Katie Neeson - Tokyo - Queensland Clinical Trials Network (QCTN) sponsored Ms Neeson to identify opportunities to attract Japanese bio-pharmaceutical companies to conduct pre-clinical and clinical research in Queensland. Ms Neeson’s assignment began later than other candidates, and she is due to complete her Cadetship in October.

There will be are up to six Trade Queensland International Business Cadetship opportunities in 2009.

Organisations wishing to take part as sponsors in this valuable program can contact the program coordinator Ken Parker in Trade Queensland on 3225 1478.

Expressions of interest from potential International Business Cadets will be called in October.

Minister’s office: John Smith 3237 1944, Jane Rowe 3237 1125, Nathan Moir 3235 4060

18 August 2008