Queensland Government goes global for bio opportunities

The Palaszczuk Government is hunting internationally to attract new biofutures businesses to Queensland.

State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham told Parliament today that an international recruitment campaign was underway to attract potential biofutures investors and manufacturers to Queensland.

“We are determined to develop a number of new or expanded biorefineries,” Dr Lynham told Parliament today.

“Queensland has the essentials that make it the ideal location for potential investors: a highly skilled workforce, abundant raw materials, integrated transport systems and proximity to the Asian market.

“The next step is to determine the most effective support government can offer to turn our vision to build a $1 billion biofutures sector in Queensland into reality.”

This Government’s running an awareness raising campaign in the United States, Asia and Australia, targeting companies within the entire biomass to bio-product supply chain.

Dr Lynham said a request for information was open until 26 October.

“We want to hear from companies all along the supply chain, from potential suppliers of feedstock, technology providers, commercial operators, investors and users of bioproducts,” he said.

The next stage is calling for expressions of interest run from mid-November to February from qualified and experienced proponents, capable of submitting project proposals.

“This is the next step to continue the investment and growth in our biofutures industry and deliver more jobs for Queenslanders,” Dr Lynham said.

Dr Lynham said the Palaszczuk Government had committed $4 million to the Biofutures Acceleration Program to attract and support new or expanded biorefinery projects.

“This is just one element of almost $20 million over three years we have committed to generating jobs and making Queensland an Asia-Pacific biofutures hub.”

ENDS                         13 October 2016

Media contact:           Jan Martin 0439 341 314