QUEENSLAND COMPANIES READY TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP
JOHANNESBURG: Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has promoted Queensland’s Smart State credentials to provide world class expertise to help South Africa deliver the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Mr Beattie promoted the merits of using Queensland companies on projects leading up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa when he met senior officials from the Johannesburg Council on the first day of his trade mission to South Africa, Kenya and London.
(Media-Newswire.com) - JOHANNESBURG: Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has promoted Queensland’s Smart State credentials to provide world class expertise to help South Africa deliver the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Mr Beattie promoted the merits of using Queensland companies on projects leading up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa when he met senior officials from the Johannesburg Council on the first day of his trade mission to South Africa, Kenya and London.
The Premier, who was accompanied by a large Queensland business delegation, expressed Queensland’s desire to collaborate with Johannesburg City on its transport infrastructure plans and other major projects tied to its hosting of the FIFA World Cup.
“Queensland has much to offer to a range of projects planned for the World Cup and other important transport infrastructure developments in sub-Saharan Africa,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Queensland Government has invested strongly in transport infrastructure and we have Australia’s largest integrated rail network, with 9,500kms of network operating through climatic extremes from wet tropical regions to arid conditions.
“There are many Queensland firms with transport infrastructure delivery experience, particularly rail infrastructure and the production of high technology, low cost rail, heavy haul, high speed and metro systems.
“These companies are in an ideal position to assist Johannesburg in its preparations for one of the world’s biggest sporting events.”
Mr Beattie said the Queensland rail industry had successfully collaborated on international projects in Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Kenya, the UK, Vietnam and Taiwan.
“Ansaldo Union Switch and Signal, Mincom, Queensland Rail, Bombardier Transport and EDI Rail are all keen to work with partners in South Africa and representatives of these companies and others have joined me on this mission to get the ball rolling,” Mr Beattie said.
“Whether it’s the development of intelligent rail systems, providing training, development and safety management answers, or engineering design and specification for specialist civil, track and electrical traction systems, rolling stock, signal and telecommunications infrastructure, Queensland’s rail sector can step up to the job.”
Mr Beattie also used a roundtable meeting today with major South African transport delegates to invite officials from the South African Government’s public transport utilities, Transnet and Spoornet, to visit Queensland to inspect developments in the Smart State.
In addition to Queensland’s transport capabilities, Mr Beattie’s meeting with the Johannesburg Council covered other areas of support associated with the hosting of the World Cup.
“A number of Queensland companies are highly qualified in the sports, major events and infrastructure sectors,” Mr Beattie said.
“Queensland businesses, including national and international companies based in Queensland, supplied A$413 million in goods and services to the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
“Our firms can offer their services in areas including the supply of sports surfaces, equipment, clothing and accessories, coaching, elite training, staging, security, management of major sporting events and the design and management of sports stadia.
“Queensland company HOK Sport, for example, designed Stadium Australia for the Sydney Olympics in a joint venture with NSW company Bligh Voller.”
Mr Beattie also promoted the Queensland mining industry during a presentation at the Queensland South Africa Mining and Energy Partnership seminar at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
The Queensland delegation to the seminar provided 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.
“And a number of leading South African firms, like Anglo American and Harmony Gold, have invested in our mining and energy sector.
“South Africa and Queensland both traditionally have very strong mining industries and we have both experienced rapid growth in recent years,” Mr Beattie said.
A presentation was also made by the Queensland Centre for Advanced Technologies covering key developments in clean coal technology, safety in mines, mining ICT and applied mining technologies.
In a further promotion of Queensland mining, attendees at the seminar were provided with a copy of the 2007 Queensland Mining Equipment Technology and Service Export Directory CD.
Media inquiries: Premier’s office 3224 4500 21 March 2007
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