The Queensland government will work with the Commonwealth to boost the state's number of exporters.
Premier Peter Beattie says the two levels of government are proposing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that relies upon state co-operation to increase exporters.
"This marks the first time that the states and territories have been invited to contribute to a major trade policy document in the very early stages of its development," he says.
"This is the sort of co-operation we leaders are seeking from the Council of Australian Governments process."
The importance of trade, Beattie says, is crucial to job creation and to further the standard of living to which Queenslanders are accustomed.
"We must do everything we can to increase the number of companies prepared to export because one in every five jobs depends on trade – a figure which is one in four in the regions," he says.
"The message is simple: increase our exports or suffer a decrease in our living standards.
"Queensland is already working towards the targets in the draft MoU.
"We are anxious to work with Austrade and other states and territories to make additional progress."
The launch of the Queensland government trade initiative
Export Solutions in October 2001 comprises a six-point plan to maximise the government's capacity to help companies win overseas business.
"The strategy sets a target of a 20% increase in the number of exporters and a 50% increase in the value of knowledge-intensive exports," he says.
Beattie sees the first major success of the strategy as an information and communications technology trade mission to the United States, which is likely to produce supply contracts worth $50 million a year for several years.
The trade mission involves:
- online training programs for mission participants
- a series of 'virtual trade missions' bringing Queensland and US companies together online
- effective partnerships involving the Queensland public sector and Austrade.
Currently, Queensland exporters enjoy lower tariffs due to China's inclusion in the World Trade Organisation. On average tariffs are down from 23% to 15% for agriculture and down from 17% to 9% for industry.