Trade Missions Critical Role In Developing Qld Business

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday 28 April 2010

Trade Missions Have Critical Role in Developing Queensland Business

Statement by Chris Rodwell
Ai Group Queensland Director

"Ill-informed opposition to government support for trade missions underestimates the importance of global engagement to Queensland business," Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) Queensland Director Chris Rodwell said today.

"Queensland accounts for almost a quarter of Australia's exports ($65.5 billion in 2008/09) and 15% of our imports ($41.7 billion). Trade missions help businesses make the connections and gather the market intelligence to grow that business for the state and Australia.

"The upcoming trade mission to North America involves more than 100 companies, including many Ai Group members. In the highly competitive North American market, relationship building through face-to-face meetings is an essential ingredient to success. This can't be done remotely.

"The involvement of the Premier in that mission raises the profile of the exercise and ensures the mission attracts a high level of engagement from North American business and government.

"The trade mission will focus on some of the important emerging sectors of the state's economy. Growing these sectors will help diversify the Queensland economy, enhancing economic growth and stability while also delivering a wider range of employment opportunities for Queenslanders.

"Queensland's economy is set to benefit significantly from the re-emergence of rapid expansion in the resources sector. But relying on this alone and not seeking out new investment in other industries would be to the detriment of our state.

"The government needs to be more involved in improving the state's trading performance, not less. It can and should run both a domestic and international agenda at the same time and should ignore calls to the contrary.

"With more than $100 billion in two-way trade at stake, the companies who have joined the mission look forward to the Premier's support," Mr Rodwell said.

Media enquiries: Aaron Johnstone 0418 119 836


SOURCE: Ai Group