Photo from L to R: Chief Minister Jon Stanhope (ACT); Parliamentary Secretary assisting the Premier the Hon Bill Marmion (WA); Minister for Trade Stephen Robertson (Qld); Minister for Trade the Hon Simon Crean (Cwlth); Minister for Industry and Trade the Hon Martin Pakula (Vic); Minister for Infrastructure the Hon Graeme Sturges (Tas)
Minister for Trade Simon Crean has welcomed the conclusion of partnership agreements with all states and territories to support Australia's participation in Shanghai World Expo 2010.
"At the Ministerial Council on International Trade, which I chaired today in Brisbane, the states and territories agreed to work closely with the Federal Government to maximise the economic benefit from Australia's participation in the largest world expo in history", Mr Crean said.
With a total project value of $83 million, the Australian pavilion and its associated business and cultural promotion programs will be the biggest investment Australia has ever made in a world expo.
"This reflects the Government's intention to take full advantage of this opportunity to promote increased trade and two-way investment, project contemporary images of modern Australia to millions of people, and strengthen institutional and people-to-people links between Australia and China", Mr Crean said.
"China is the place to be. It is the centre of world economic growth. By building the economic relationship with China, including through our involvement in Expo 2010, we help sustain growth in our own economy, which underpins Australian jobs and better living standards."
Queensland and Victoria have signed on as Platinum partners of the Commonwealth. New South Wales has concluded a Gold partnership. The ACT, Northern Territory, South Australia, and Western Australia are Silver partners, and Tasmania Bronze.
"Through these collaborative arrangements the states and territories collectively are contributing over six million dollars in cash and in-kind support. This will ensure we have an impressive national presence at the expo and will help the states and territories to advance their interests in the strategically important China market", Mr Crean said.
The Shanghai World Expo will take place between 1 May and 31 October 2010. So far, 190 countries have confirmed their participation, and organisers forecast 70 to 80 million visitors, mostly from China. Up to seven million people are expected to visit the Australian pavilion.