Trade Minister Stephen Robertson today announced the value of Queensland’s merchandise goods exports for the 2008-09 financial year had jumped almost 60 per cent to a record $56.3 billion.
“This represents a major increase of $21 billion or 59.5 per cent over the previous year and this means jobs for Queenslanders,” Mr Robertson said.
“Given the current global economic crisis, this is a remarkable result.”
Significant growth export markets for Queensland merchandise goods in 2008/09 were:
Japan (up $7.5 billion, 83.2 per cent)
India (up $3.7 billion, 128.2 per cent)
China (up $2.8 billion, 114.4 per cent)
Korea (up $2.7 billion, 71.4 per cent)
“These figures show the Bligh Government makes the right decisions and our export strategy, including maintaining Trade Queensland’s network of global representation, is the right approach to encourage continued export and economic growth in Queensland,” Mr Robertson said.
“The opposition wants to cut one billion from Queensland’s budget yet our commitment to maintaining services has delivered remarkable export results, boosting our economy and delivering on our commitment to create and protect jobs.
“Queensland has vastly outperformed the other states, our growth in exports is more than double the national average.”
New South Wales merchandise exports increased by 28.7 per cent, Western Australia 26.1 per cent and Victoria -0.6 per cent.
“These figures strongly vindicate the Government’s continued commitment to maintaining and strengthening overseas trading relationships and proudly promoting free and open trade with the world,” Mr Robertson said.
Mr Robertson said that the increase of 59.5 per cent from $35.3 billion in 2007-08 to $56.3 billion in 2008-09 has been assisted by increased demand for bulk commodities like Queensland’s export coal, accounting for 81.3 per cent of total overseas goods export growth in the period. The total export value of Queensland coal rose from $13.1 billion in 2007-08 to $30.2 billion in 2008-09.
“Queensland has also recorded significant growth in a number of other export sectors in the current financial year. For instance, cereal exports are up $232 million or 102 per cent, chemical exports are up $376 million or 68 per cent, other rural exports are up $434 million or 48 per cent, and textile fibres are up $106 million or 33 per cent,” he said.
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