Queensland Investor Roundtable

Thank you, High Commissioner, for your kind introduction, and for your warm hospitality today.

As Governor of the Australian State of Queensland, I am very pleased to be in Singapore to represent our people at significant events associated with the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and more broadly to promote Queensland’s trade, business and cultural interests with the Singapore.

1.5 million people will witness the live sporting competition, while a further 1.5 billion will watch from around the world.

The 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games is not just about sport, but about seizing the opportunity to engage with potential partners in government and business across the Commonwealth and reflect on our shared interests.

As the Queen’s Baton Relay travels through Singapore this week, we are here to meet with potential partners and talk about investment opportunities in Queensland.

The State of Queensland has a large, diverse, and regionalised economy.

We are rich with natural resources, have a highly-skilled workforce, fast growing population, and significant infrastructure demands.

This presents opportunities for foreign investors across a wide range of sectors.

Singapore is a natural partner for Queensland and the Gold Coast – a global centre of finance, a major source market for investment, and hub for technology-related companies.

The Queensland Government is committed to exploring further opportunities within South East Asia, evidenced by the establishment of a local Trade and Investment Queensland office in Singapore late last year.

The Gold Coast epitomises Queensland’s economic objectives and is finding economic strength in our growing diversity. The Gold Coast’s innovative and world-class industries range from food and agribusiness, to tourism, film, sports, marine, health and beauty and education.

The Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, in which our Commonwealth Games Village is located, exemplifies the broader knowledge-driven growth underway across the Gold Coast, South East Queensland and Queensland.

Of course, the warm relations between Singapore and Queensland extend far beyond the economic, and include the warmly personal people-to-people links which give our relations such strength and substance.

Thank you for your attendance. I hope today marks the beginning, and in many cases, the continuation, of fruitful discussions between our State and your organisations.