Council joins Premier’s Trade Mission to USA

Published on 15 May 2018

Rockhampton Mayor Margaret Strelow is set to sell the region’s investment potential at the world’s largest biotechnology convention, after accepting a personal invitation from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to join a trade mission to the USA next month.

Mayor Strelow will join the Queensland delegation to the 2018 BIO International Convention in Boston next month, and said it was an excellent opportunity to showcase the region’s investment potential with support from the highest levels.

“This is an important opportunity to showcase our region’s investment potential on an international scale, and to be supported by Premier Palaszczuk at this event gives us an additional draw card when talking to businesses and industry,” Mayor Strelow said.

“More than 16,000 representatives from over 70 countries are expected to attend this event, which is about showcasing the latest biotechnology and life sciences as well as building partnerships.

“From health to education, technology and agriculture, Rockhampton is a prime investment destination. That’s the message I’ll be taking to this conference and in the meetings we’ll be having as part of the Queensland delegation.

“The importance of building international connections, attracting foreign investment, securing distributors and broadening Council’s knowledge of international markets cannot be overstated. Having the support of the Queensland Premier will provide an added boost to the discussions we’ll be having about Rockhampton’s potential.

“The more we can diversify our region’s economic base, the more resilient it will be and the better chances we have of driving local job creation and growth.

“Just a little later this week we will be highlighting some of what can be done in this space when a field day is held at Alton Downs to highlight a collaborative project with CQU, local farmers and a seed company in growing black sesame, and this is the exact kind of initiative we want to build on.

“We look forward to working with the Queensland Government and private sector to grow our region’s share of this broad industry, and help drive Rockhampton forward,” Mayor Strelow said.

The 2018 BIO Convention will be held in Boston, Massachusetts from 4-7 June 2018.