Delegates discover our region

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade hosts ambassadors

UNDERSTANDING the region and the capabilities of its food and agricultural production is the focus for a visiting international delegation.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is hosting the delegation this week made up of ASEAN ambassadors.

The ambassadors, from the Association of South East Asian Nations, represent numerous countries including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Trade and Investment Queensland principal trade and investment officer Geraldine Doumany said the three-day visit started yesterday.

“The purpose of their visit is they are very keen on looking at regional businesses and enterprises and getting a much broader understanding of Australia regionally,” Ms Doumany said.

“Toowoomba is becoming very well recognised in agriculture, food and technologies as well as as an export hug for those products which is attracting a lot of investment.”

The delegates arrived yesterday, flying into Wellcamp Airport from Canberra. Their trip will also include a visits to the University of Southern Queensland, Oakey Nippon Meat Processing Plant and Wainui Feedlot. This is the first time ASEAN ambassadors have visited Toowoomba for a trade and economic agricultural discussion. It will also include the first board meeting to be held in a regional centre.

Ms Dounmany said the Australia-ASEAN Council was increasing knowledge and promoting Australia’s interests in South East Asia.

A round table will discuss ways to build agricultural and food expertise and networks to accelerate the trade relationship and will focus on answering: “How can Australia and ASEAN countries work together to make agriculture, infrastructure and food distribution work in rural areas and export/import destinations?”.