A trade mission to China by Premier Campbell Newman and Mayor Bob Manning to promote Far North Queensland to the Chinese market has been hailed a success.

The mayor joined the premier between September 21 and 25 for meetings in Beijing and Shanghai, before journeying on to Cairns’ sister city, Zhanjiang, at the south-western end of Guangdong province.

"We were able to make significant progress in our discussions with investors, and there was optimism among the delegates of an unprecedented period of growth in Queensland’s tourism industry,” Premier Newman said.

“We’re also confident that we’ve taken steps towards persuading airlines to expand their services into our state.” Cathay Pacific announced just hours later an increase of direct flights between Hong Kong and Cairns.

(See <link cathay-announces-additional-flights.10353.0.htm>www.tourismportdouglas.com.au/Cathay-announces-additional-flights.10353.0.html).

Mr Newman said the trade mission was used to promote Queensland's considerable strengths as a dynamic and reliable trading partner and added there had been a significant shift in the way Queensland was perceived internationally.

“With a value of $14.8 billion a year, China is Queensland’s single largest trading partner and we see great potential for Chinese investment to drive some of the major projects that Queensland needs,” he said.

“We were able to generate a great deal of interest in the industries associated with Queensland's four economic pillars of resources, agriculture, construction and tourism, but also in the fields of education and training, infrastructure, and science.

“I’m confident the links we created on this mission will lead to millions of dollars’ worth of new projects in our state."
Cairns Regional Council Mayor, Bob Manning said there were meetings held with a number of important people, including significant investors who have committed to major expenditure.

“We saw value in supporting the Premier on this mission and it gave me the opportunity to speak with him about some important issues,” Cr Manning said. “The Premier’s support for this area is strong.

“The links with China are very strong - it’s up to us to build on that. The timing for us is good. You have to take the opportunities.

“Investment is about confidence, it’s about trust.”