Newly arrived business migrants and migrants who have been onshore for a number of years were introduced to Far North Queensland investment and export opportunities during a roadshow held at the beginning of June.
Regional Development Australia Tropical North, in collaboration with Migration Queensland and Trade and Investment Queensland, developed an itinerary that showcased private investment opportunities in tourism, innovation and agriculture sectors in Cairns, Douglas, Tablelands and Mareeba Shires in a bid to bring new job-creating investment into the region.
Tropical North Queensland’s lifestyle and climate hold great appeal for people wanting to move from overseas, but we need to demonstrate that a move to our beautiful part of the world could also be the start of a successful new opportunity for business migrants.
Our region is already in demand for international students, and an opportunity to invest in the region may be just what their families need to make the move to the Tropical North.
The Queensland Business Nomination Program offers migrants the opportunity to join a community and contribute to the State’s economic growth and development through various programs.
The delegates who joined the roadshow are from Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Africa, and Europe and are looking to invest from $1 million to $15 million in the region.
A diverse range of investment opportunities were presented at the roadshow. For example, the Atherton Tablelands has several exciting possibilities, including land suitable for developing an aged care facility in addition to its pristine growing environment for horticulture, which was showcased at various farms.
Export opportunities were demonstrated at places like Skybury, which is Australia’s largest exporter of Arabica coffee beans. The owners are now looking at value add and export opportunities for papaya.
Investors were also informed about agritourism possibilities, such as Gallo Dairyland, which has been on the market, or in a crocodile farm to produce high-end fashion products.
The roadshow also showcased the current investment in the Atherton Tablelands, including the Prior’s Creek Precinct running alongside the Atherton CBD to create attractive public space to draw people into the town, the Mareeba Industrial Park and the Aviation Precinct.
Innovation projects include the Daintree Renewable Microgrid and Enserv Australia’s work using sugar to manufacture next generation batteries.
The TNQ Plastics Industry Recycling investment opportunity was presented to showcase the region’s potential to support a circular economy pathway for plastics in local manufacturing.
Expressions of interest were sought from businesses with investment-ready opportunities across innovation, tourism and agriculture to be a part of the roadshow itinerary.
Regional Development Australia Tropical North Inc is an independent organisation driven by community leaders to broker regional development solutions to create jobs and grow the Far North Queensland economy.
Words by Regional Development Australia Tropical North CEO Sonja Johnson.
