Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has shared Queensland's ever-expanding strengths as an attractive investment location with representatives from Germany's top-tier companies at a roundtable in Berlin last night, hosted by Australia's Ambassador to Germany, Lynette Wood.
The Premier met with executives from Bombardier Transport; car-sharing joint venture ShareNow; Siemens Energy; grocery chain Kaufland; logistic companies, WITRON Logistik + Informatik GmbH and BayWa, startup hub Factory Berlin; renewables finance group KfW and waste management company Remondis International, along with members of the German Australia Business Council.
"Germany and Queensland are entering a new era of innovation-led investor relations, which will be strengthened further by the new Free Trade Agreement currently being negotiated between the EU and Australia and my Government's $650 million Advance Queensland initiative," the Premier said.
The Premier said German multinational companies already featured prominently in the investment and development of some of Queensland's key growth industries: defence and aerospace, renewable energy, biofuels and biotechnology and advance manufacturing.
"Rheinmetall is playing a key role in further developing Queensland's heavy vehicle and defence manufacturing capability; Wirsol is building large-scale solar farms in the state; DB Schenker has been involved in bringing sustainable aviation fuel to the Brisbane Airport; and Siemens has numerous Queensland interests, from health innovation to circuit breakers to train control system technology.
"And now, with Queensland positioning itself at the forefront of new industries such as hydrogen and electric vehicles, a new wave of investment opportunities is rolling in.
"With abundant natural resources, reliable energy supply and proximity to high-growth markets, Queensland is building its capacity to meet growing international demand for renewable, carbon dioxide-free hydrogen, and create a new wave of high-value, innovation-focused jobs.
"Today's event provided an excellent opportunity to encourage foreign direct investment in Queensland that will support economic development and growth through job creation."
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is currently in Germany as part of an 11-day trade mission, which also includes the United Arab Emirates and the UK.
