Qld: Beattie for Brazil, Chile and the US

AAP General News (Australia)
04-29-2004
Qld: Beattie for Brazil, Chile and the US

BRISBANE, April 29 AAP - Queensland Premier Peter Beattie will make a 14-day trip to
the United States, Chile and Brazil next month, with sugar high on his agenda.

Mr Beattie told state parliament today he would leave Brisbane on May 26 to promote
Queensland sugar industry developments in Brazil and biotechnology industries in the US.

During the visit, the first to Brazil by a Queensland premier, Mr Beattie will meet
Brazil's Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, Roberto Rodrigues, to discuss
value adding to Australian sugar exports.

There also would be talks with Brazil's lead agency responsible for more than 60 per
cent of Brazilian sugar production, to explore what partnerships might exist and meetings
with Brazil's major ethanol producers.

"We need to develop the ethanol industry," Mr Beattie said.

"Japan for example is keen to start importing ethanol but they won't do it through one market.

"That means we have the potential to develop an ethanol industry where we can be one
of the suppliers to Japan.

"We need an outlet and the visit to Brazil is timed specifically to do what we can
to enhance the sugar industry with value adding in this state."

Mr Beattie said he was inviting representatives from the Queensland sugar industry
to accompany him on the trip.

In the US visit he would lead a delegation to the BIO2004 biotechnology event in San Francisco.

He said Queensland had more than 100 companies involved in the biotechnology industry
and the visit would demonstrate their achievements and try to attract new investment.

"In Chile I will be following up on Queensland's participation in a mining trade exhibition,"

Mr Beattie said.

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KEYWORD: BEATTIE

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