Trade and Investment Queensland investor roundtable

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning, and thank you most sincerely for welcoming me to Thailand so warmly.

I am privileged to be the first Australian Governor to make an official visit to Thailand – quite rightly known as the Land of Smiles – and I am very proud to be in Bangkok as a guest of the Thai government.

Queensland and Thailand enjoy an enduring relationship, a friendship built on trade, tourism, arts, education, mining and health.

Indeed, Thai investment into Queensland is the largest of any Australian State, and today we acknowledge that investment with a view towards an exciting future full of increased opportunities.

We welcome Thai companies representing the sugar, tourism, sustainable energy, motoring and agribusiness industries, and thank you for your ongoing commitment to the State of Queensland.

Importantly, the bilateral business relationships we discuss today benefit both economies, and both communities.

You are a representative of your businesses to customers, to clients, to partner organisations, to government authorities, and to other stakeholders in Thailand.

All the while, you balance business culture, language and regulatory conditions between two countries.

I am sure that presents its challenges, but you would not be here today if you did not enjoy and embrace a challenge.

I congratulate you, your companies and your many staff on your hard work and commitment.

Trade and investment relationships between Queensland and Thailand continue to evolve, and today Mr Calder will lead discussions which will focus on existing and future business opportunities.

And so, on that positive note, I thank you once again for your welcome today, and wish you every success.

Thank you.