Beef exports rose markedly under the State Government’s trade strategy. Photo: Advance Queensland, Queensland Government.
The Queensland Government is spruiking the success of a recent trade mission abroad, which it says has opened new pathways for the state’s exporters and attracted investment.
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates travelled across the United Arab Emirates as well as the United Kingdom and mainland Europe.
The government said the more than 35 engagements delivered outcomes for Queensland firms.
“Queenslanders put their trust in the Crisafulli Government to deliver a ‘Fresh Start’ — and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” Ms Bates said.
“This mission has opened new markets, secured new partnerships and laid the groundwork for jobs and growth to help build the future of our state and the lifestyle Queenslanders deserve.”
Key sectors across the visit were health technology, energy, finance and trade, which the government said were strong suits for Queensland globally, especially regarding innovation and resources.
Partnerships with the Gulf states were the focus of the Queensland Exporter Roundtable in Dubai, while in the UK, Gold-Coast-based exporter ABI Interiors opened a new distribution centre near London Gatwick to service the European market.
Ms Bates also met German research firm Fraunhofer alongside the University of Queensland, holding talks about energy storage.
The trade mission was under the guidance of the government’s Queensland-Europe & United Kingdom Trade and Investment Strategy 2025-2028, Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA) and the Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The European Union was Queensland’s sixth-largest goods trading partner in the year ending July 2025, with a total value of $13 billion, while trade with the UAE is valued at $786.6 million.
The Queensland Government said that under the A-UKFTA, Queensland had enjoyed a massive surge in beef exports, from $5.1 million in May 2023 to $94.9 million in June 2025.
CEPA is expected to deliver similar benefits to the state, unlocking opportunities for the large food and agricultural sector, particularly wine, dairy and meat.
