April 27, 2017
The State Government and the Local Government Association of Queensland are joining forces to help regional businesses get better access to export opportunities.
Treasurer Curtis Pitt and LGAQ president Mark Jamieson signed a Statement of Intent on Thursday as the first step in developing a Memorandum of Understanding for promoting and co-ordinating trade and investment opportunities in Queensland.
“We are very pleased to be able to further develop our longstanding relationship with the LGAQ and the State’s 77 local councils in the interests of regional businesses in particular,” Mr Pitt said.
“With this agreement in place, we can now look at developing specific actions and opportunities that will assist Trade and Investment Queensland and local governments to better support small businesses.
“State and local government trade and investment activities need to be well co-ordinated to produce the best outcomes for exporters, especially SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises).”
Mayor Jamieson said local councils have been pushing for a greater level of co-operation with the State Government.
He said they were best placed to identify the key export and investment opportunities in regional Queensland.
Areas of collaboration agreed include:
- Planning and co-ordinating inbound and outbound trade missions
- Trade and investment information programs for local Council representatives
- Facilitating business programs such as training for exporters and proponents seeking investment
- Enhanced partnership in growing Queensland’s international education and training sector
