PREMIER BEATTIE LEAVES FOR SOUTH AFRICA, KENYA AND LONDON
Boosting trade with South Africa, bidding for the rights to host the 2011 World Athletics’ Championships, water and climate change all feature high on Premier Peter Beattie’s list of priorities during his trade mission to South Africa, Kenya and London from 19-31 March.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Boosting trade with South Africa, bidding for the rights to host the 2011 World Athletics’ Championships, water and climate change all feature high on Premier Peter Beattie’s list of priorities during his trade mission to South Africa, Kenya and London from 19-31 March.
Mr Beattie was invited to visit South Africa by South African President, Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at Coolum in 2002 and will meet with the President and other senior ministers during his visit.
“Queensland and South Africa have much in common. Our economies have been built on major mining and agriculture exports but we are both moving towards an increasingly diversified, knowledge-intensive export base,” Mr Beattie said.
“Since 2002, there has been a steady increase in business and cultural links between us. And in the 10 years to 2005-2006, Queensland’s goods exports to South Africa grew by a massive 838 per cent from $33.1 million to $310.6 million.
“Our exports to South Africa are dominated by coal but there has been strong growth in other exports including industrial machinery and equipment, petroleum and medicinal and pharmaceutical products.
“Many Queensland companies now have offices in South Africa. Global software giant Mincom is one example of a Queensland company that has made inroads through its office in Johannesburg while South African firms like Anglo Coal and Harmony Gold have invested in the Queensland mining and energy sectors.
“Our new five-year export strategy – Driving Export Growth for Queensland - aims to extend Queensland’s reach to dynamic partner trading countries like South Africa.”
Mr Beattie said relations would be further enhanced by news that the Australia Africa Business Council ( AABC ) will host its annual conference in 2008 in Brisbane. The conference is held each year in either Africa or Australia.
“This will be the first time the AABC has held its annual conference in Queensland and a perfect opportunity for South African government and business leaders to see first hand what Queensland has to offer,” Mr Beattie said.
The Premier, who will be accompanied by 26 delegates, including many from Queensland’s mining and transport sectors, plans to highlight Queensland’s attractions to potential investors.
“Queensland is the economic engine room to Australia. We have the fastest growing economy and the lowest unemployment rate,” Mr Beattie said.
“Our education and training facilities are of the highest standard and we already attract more South African students than any other Australian state with 159 students currently enrolled to study here.”
Mr Beattie will give a presentation tomorrow at the Queensland South Africa Mining and Energy Partnership seminar at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
The Queensland delegation to the seminar will provide a snapshot of what Queensland has to offer in the areas of new technologies, mining research and development, occupational health and safety programs, training programs and ICT services.
“There are already a large number of Queensland mining companies doing business in South Africa, including Mincom, Xstrata, Groundprobe, Runge, Roche Mining, Leico Geo Systems, Russell Mineral Equipment and Dingo Mini Diggers,” Mr Beattie said.
“South Africa and Queensland both traditionally have very strong mining industries and we have both experienced rapid growth in recent years.”
As well as business delegates, Mr Beattie will be accompanied in South Africa by the 2007 Young Australian of the Year, Tania Major.
Ms Major, a Youth Development Project Officer with the Cape York Institute, will meet to develop links with young South African leaders during her visit.
The Premier leaves South Africa on Sunday when he flies to Kenya to join the delegation for bid Brisbane’s bid to host the 2011 World Championships in Athletics.
The announcement by the International Association of Athletics Federations ( IAAF ) will be made on Tuesday 27 March following presentations from the three cities in the running for the event – Brisbane, Moscow and Daegu ( South Korea ).
Mr Beattie will then fly to London for a series of meetings and events relating to climate change research, water quality, recycled water, Queensland as an investment location and the success of Queensland’s creative industries on the world stage.
Media inquiries: Premier’s office 3224 4500 19 March 2007
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