15 March 2014
Cypress Creek Mirror
Gov. Rick Perry highlighted important trade opportunities between Texas and Australia at the grand opening of the Queensland Government North America Trade and Investment office in Houston this week, which will serve as the Australian state’s dedicated office for further developing international trade and investment with the U.S. and Texas.
Queensland’s trade office was previously located in Southern California. The governor was joined by Queensland Premier Campbell Newman and Trade and Investment Commissioner to North America David Camerlengo.
“Our two states have long enjoyed a close relationship, but this office represents a giant step toward further strengthening our economic and cultural ties,” Gov. Perry said. “Close partnerships with friends from around the world, like this one, helps both of our states succeed. I congratulate everyone involved in bringing our states closer together, and I look forward to hearing more great things coming out of the Texas-Queensland friendship in the days and years to come.”
“This new office is the beginning of a new era for the state’s business relationship with the U.S., and will bolster our trade and investment ties with this important region,” Premier Newman said. “Houston serves as an ideal gateway to the rest of the United States, as well as Canada and Mexico.”
Texas has maintained a strong trade relationship with Australia, exchanging $2.9 billion in goods in 2013. Australia is Texas’ 24th largest export market worldwide, and Queensland is Australia’s second largest exporting jurisdiction.
The Lone Star State is a global trade leader, holding its position as the top U.S. exporting state for 12 years in a row. Texas export revenues for 2013 amounted to nearly $279.7 billion, up 5.4 percent from the 2012 and outpacing U.S. export growth. Additionally, Texas is now the national leader in technology exports, with more than $45 billion in technology products exported in 2012.
Courtesy of the Cypress Creek Mirror