Premier’s Export Awards to celebrate more Queensland business success

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick have today launched the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards 2022.

The Premier said the awards celebrated Queensland business ingenuity and acknowledged businesses’ perseverance and resilience over the past 12 months.

“This is a showcase of what Queensland can and does deliver to the world,” the Premier said.

“The pandemic has presented huge challenges for our exporters, and the way in which businesses have overcome those hurdles and thrived is really inspiring.

“These are wonderful entrepreneurial success stories and demonstrate how vital our exporters are to this state and Queensland’s Economic Recovery Plan.

“I encourage any exporting business in Queensland to nominate for these awards, to share their story with us so we can highlight their success.”

The Premier said despite recent challenges, the global demand for Queensland goods has never been higher.

“In the last year to March our exports had the highest 12-month total on record,” the Premier said.

“This is more than 60 per cent higher than the same period a year ago.

“Queensland was also the nation’s second largest exporter of goods, exporting more goods by value than New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania combined.

“Queensland is in a position of strength and because of this we can build on our efforts to diversify into new industries.

 “The 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase our state as a wonderful investment and trade destination to the world.”

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said the role innovative and in-demand Queensland exporters play in the state’s economy and communities cannot be overstated.

“Queensland exports support one in five Queensland jobs,” the Treasurer said.

“They’re also heavily invested in our regions, with around 40 per cent of our more than 7000 exporting businesses based in regional Queensland.

“We have a $100 billion export economy in our state, and the global demand for our Sunshine State stamp of quality has never been higher.

“That’s why we want to keep promoting our exporters and Queensland, and highlighting how we’re delivering the best produce and products on the planet.”

Queensland’s Exporter of the Year for 2021, Next Level Racing from the Gold Coast, epitomise the world-leading talent and innovation found in the Sunshine State.

Exporting their racing simulators to more than 50 countries for events like the E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo and Gamescom, Next Level Racing technology is also highly sought after as a training tool for elite racers.

Next Level Racing founder and CEO Hess Ghah said the award has assisted his company’s growth strategy.

“Our company has been kicking some big export goals and winning the award was great public recognition,” Mr Ghah said.

“It has served to reinforce our credentials as we continue to grow our business internationally.”

Riviera Australia, also from the GC, are the reigning Manufacturing and Advanced Materials Award recipient, claiming both the Queensland and national title last year.

Riviera Australia owner Rodney Longhurst said his company employs more than 900 people at Coomera and exports more than 60 per cent of the luxury motor yachts it designs and manufacturers.

“These awards are an important part of the Queensland Government’s support for exporters, and their recognition of our work has certainly strengthened our business profile internationally,” Mr Longhurst said.

“We compete with the best boat builders in the world, and we proudly stand beside them with the quality and design of our motor yachts, so being named a Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards’ winner is an honour.”

Applications for the 2022 Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards are now open to Queensland-based exporting business.

Deadline for applications is Friday 10 June, with winners announced in October during a gala event at the Brisbane Showgrounds’ Royal International Convention Centre.

Queensland export awards winners are automatically entered into the Australian Export Awards, managed by Austrade and announced in November.

To learn more about the awards and to apply, visit tiq.qld.gov.au/exportawards.

ENDS

Media contact: Ben Doyle 0400 775 561