Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to lead trade mission to Japan, South Korea and Singapore 

• Premier to lead a trade mission to shore up investment in Queensland’s critical minerals, hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel industries 
• The trade mission will target key markets like Japan and South Korea with a combined exports of more than $46 billion over the year to April, 2023  
• Key mayors and business leaders from Townsville and Gladstone will join the trade mission 

Mayors and business leaders from regions key to the delivery of Queensland’s Energy and Jobs Plan will accompany the Premier on a trade mission to Japan, South Korea and Singapore. 

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill and Gladstone Mayor Matt Burnett will join Vecco Group Managing Director Tom Northcott, Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith and PowerLink CEO Paul Simshauser for parts of the mission as the Premier targets key overseas markets to shore up support for Queensland’s plan and investment to deliver renewable energy and jobs right across the state. 

Resources Minister Scott Stewart will also join the Premier for the South Korean leg to help promote CopperString and Queensland’s Critical Minerals Strategy.  

The Palaszczuk Government doubled its investment in CopperString in the recent state budget to $1 billion to help unlock the North West Minerals Province and the critical mineral opportunities it provides.  

Japan is Queensland’s largest export destination with $27 billion worth of exports in the year ending in April 2023, an increase of 48% over the year. 

South Korea is the fourth largest export destination with $19 billion worth of exports in the year ending in April 2023, an increase of 23% over the year.  

Global demand for critical minerals like vanadium, cobalt and graphite continues to rise and Queensland has stable supply chains that can provide confidence to investors.  

In addition to critical minerals, the trade mission will also promote opportunities to promote Queensland’s agriculture, tourism and education sectors.   

Steven Miles will be Acting Premier for the duration of the trade mission from Saturday, July 8 to Sunday, July 16. 

Quotes attributable to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk: 

“Critical minerals like vanadium mined in North Queensland and green hydrogen from North and Central Queensland will be critical to delivering our state’s plan for more renewable energy and more renewable energy jobs. 

“I am travelling to Japan, South Korea and Singapore to hold meetings with offshore investors to grow Queensland’s critical markets as we continue to deliver our Energy and Jobs Plan.  

“To secure jobs for the future, we’ll make the case for investment in our emerging vanadium mining, processing and manufacturing industries as well as our hydrogen industry.  

“This is about securing investments to mine minerals, process minerals and make batteries in North Queensland and securing new investments in our emerging renewable hydrogen industry in places like Central Queensland.”