Media Releases
QLD Government Trade Commissioner for Europe Visits Gladstone
25th October, 2005
Queensland Government Trade Commissioner for Europe Visits Gladstone
Mr John Dawson Queensland Government Trade Commissioner Europe and Agent-General based in London will visit the Gladstone Region today. Mr Dawson will view local industry; visit the Port of Gladstone and Central Queensland University; and meet with city and business leaders.
The Gladstone State Development Centre and the Gladstone Economic and Industry Development Board (GEIDB) have facilitated the visit.
Mr Dawson’s full day visit will commence with a helicopter tour of the region followed by an industry visit to the world’s largest alumina refinery, Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL).
Mr Dawson will be the guest of honour at a business luncheon where he will be formally welcomed to the Gladstone Region by Cr Peter Corones the Mayor of the City of Gladstone. At the luncheon Mr Dawson will outline his role as Queensland Government Trade Commissioner Europe and also personally recognise some of the local sponsors and award winners of the recent Central Queensland Export Awards.
Mr Dawson said, “It is most appropriate that during Queensland Government Export Week we recognise local companies for their contribution to export and employment.”
“One in four jobs in regional Queensland are supported by export activity. Facilitating export for Queensland companies is a key focus of my work in Europe,” he said.
Local export award winners include Austicks Pty Ltd - winner of the Agribusiness Category Award; Tasman Engineering Services Pty Ltd - finalist in the Small to Medium Manufacturer Category; Auckland Hill Bed & Breakfast - finalist in the Tourism Accommodation Category; and Central Queensland University (CQU) - winner of the Education Category and winner of the Central Queensland Regional Exporter of the Year Award.
“I’m looking forward to meeting with representatives of these companies in Gladstone and I wish Austicks and CQU well in the Queensland Export Awards that will be announced by the Premier in Brisbane later this week,” Mr Dawson said.
Local Central Queensland Export Award sponsors who will attend the luncheon include Central Queensland Ports Authority; Industrial and Technical Services Pty Ltd; and Central Queensland University.
Dr Ken King, GEIDB Chief Executive said “The Gladstone Region provides a major contribution to Queensland and Australia’s trade with 62 million tones of exports through the Port of Gladstone last year valued at over $A4 billion.”
Following the luncheon Mr Dawson will tour the Port of Gladstone; visit Central Queensland University to view the CQU Environmental Management Centre and the CQU Process Engineering and Light Metals (PELM) Centre.
At the end of his visit Mr Dawson will also view industry development on the Gladstone State Development Area (GSDA).
Dr King said “Investment attraction targeting industry development for the GSDA is a key role of the GEIDB and an area that we work in close partnership with the global network of Queensland Government Trade and Investment Offices”
“I have kept Mr Dawson in touch with corporate developments in relation to his office such as the capital raising by Gladstone Pacific Nickel Limited on the London Stock Exchange earlier this year and Rusal’s strategic 20% investment in QAL.”
“I’m delighted to see Mr Dawson in Gladstone today. John will be able to see first hand these industry development opportunities in the Gladstone Region.”
“The GEIDB will continue to work proactively with the QGTIO network, including the Europe office to target investment and development opportunities for the Gladstone Region.” Dr King said.
Media opportunities include Marine Helicopters at Gladstone Regional Airport at 8.45am, morning tea at the GEIDB office at 10.15am, a visit to QAL at 11am, the Port of Gladstone at 2.15pm and Central Queensland University, Gladstone Campus at 3.30pm. The luncheon is at Bojangles Brasserie, 6 Goondoon Street, Gladstone from 12.30 to 2pm.
END
