Premier appoints new trade commissioner to the Americas
Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Anna Bligh
16/06/2010
Premier Anna Bligh has announced the appointment of a new Trade Commissioner to the Americas and outlined a new push into Latin American for the position.
Ms Bligh said Chris Rodwell had accepted the position having worked as Queensland Director at peak industry representative organisation, the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group), since early 2007.
Mr Rodwell will replace former Premier Peter Beattie in the Trade Commissioner role after the former Premier announced his retirement in May following a record year for the LA office.
The Premier said Mr Rodwell will initially be based in Los Angeles before moving to Latin America for the remainder of his three year term.
"Trade and Investment Commissioners play a vital role in advocating for our State overseas and I can think of no better representative than Chris Rodwell," she said.
"In his role at Ai Group Chris has represented Queensland industry to the Queensland Government.
"He was also a member of our 'Jobs Squad' during the Global Financial Crisis. He is our top pick to represent Queensland in the vital markets of the Americas."
Mr Rodwell said the Americas represented a rich opportunity for Queensland companies.
"There are significant growth opportunities for our State in the region and I'm looking forward to the significant challenge of building on those opportunities," he said.
"In Latin America in particular we have major opportunities to extend the presence of Queensland's mining services and agribusiness sectors. Across the region our prospects in clean energy, urban planning and design, tourism and biotech, to name a few, are also significant.
"Over the past few years I've spent plenty of time supporting the interests of Queensland businesses and have strong relationships with a number of the CEOs of our best performing export businesses. It will be a privilege to support their interests in such a vibrant region whilst also coaxing and coaching new entrants into the market.
"As the most innovative state in Australia, the brand of Queensland is all about seizing the opportunity and applying smarter ways of doing business. I'm looking forward to communicating that message across the Americas and especially furthering the important work of the current team in extending our presence in Latin America."
Queensland recently announced trade representation in the emerging economic powerhouses of Brazil and Chile and signed new agreements with Colombia and Peru during recent trade missions by the Premier and Treasurer Andrew Fraser.
Ms Bligh said Chris Rodwell had accepted the position having worked as Queensland Director at peak industry representative organisation, the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group), since early 2007.
Mr Rodwell will replace former Premier Peter Beattie in the Trade Commissioner role after the former Premier announced his retirement in May following a record year for the LA office.
The Premier said Mr Rodwell will initially be based in Los Angeles before moving to Latin America for the remainder of his three year term.
"Trade and Investment Commissioners play a vital role in advocating for our State overseas and I can think of no better representative than Chris Rodwell," she said.
"In his role at Ai Group Chris has represented Queensland industry to the Queensland Government.
"He was also a member of our 'Jobs Squad' during the Global Financial Crisis. He is our top pick to represent Queensland in the vital markets of the Americas."
Mr Rodwell said the Americas represented a rich opportunity for Queensland companies.
"There are significant growth opportunities for our State in the region and I'm looking forward to the significant challenge of building on those opportunities," he said.
"In Latin America in particular we have major opportunities to extend the presence of Queensland's mining services and agribusiness sectors. Across the region our prospects in clean energy, urban planning and design, tourism and biotech, to name a few, are also significant.
"Over the past few years I've spent plenty of time supporting the interests of Queensland businesses and have strong relationships with a number of the CEOs of our best performing export businesses. It will be a privilege to support their interests in such a vibrant region whilst also coaxing and coaching new entrants into the market.
"As the most innovative state in Australia, the brand of Queensland is all about seizing the opportunity and applying smarter ways of doing business. I'm looking forward to communicating that message across the Americas and especially furthering the important work of the current team in extending our presence in Latin America."
Queensland recently announced trade representation in the emerging economic powerhouses of Brazil and Chile and signed new agreements with Colombia and Peru during recent trade missions by the Premier and Treasurer Andrew Fraser.
