Attracting new investment to South Australia, growing the more than $1 billion annual exports to the region and creating local jobs will be a key focus of the State Government’s European trade, investment and defence delegation underway now.
Premier Jay Weatherill and Martin Hamilton-Smith, the Minister for Investment and Minister for Defence Industries, will lead 64 local business delegates and 33 companies from the defence, food and agribusiness sectors as they showcase their capabilities and connect with new partners in the UK and France.
Key events, aimed at promoting the State with a view to creating jobs and attracting new investors, held in London with Minister Hamilton-Smith included:
- Sample South Australia networking wine and food event on Thursday, October 13. This event connected South Australian producers with local buyers and distributors.
- Business event on Thursday, October 13. His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC, Governor of South Australia, was a guest speaker.
- Defence SA hosted meeting on Friday, October 14. Key members of UK defence companies that have an interest in South Australia attended and Minister Hamilton-Smith gave an update on the progress of major programs, including $89 billion worth of naval shipbuilding projects.
Key events to be held in Paris with the Premier and Minister Hamilton-Smith include:
- The official launch of the South Australian stand at SIAL Paris on Sunday, October 16. SIAL Paris provides South Australian food, beverage and wine companies with an opportunity to showcase their products and also provides a springboard for exhibitors to meet new business partners and potential buyers, distributors and agents.
- SA Defence event on Sunday, October 16. Defence SA will host an event for key defence and industry personnel.
- South Australian Business Investment event on Sunday, October 16. Premier Jay Weatherill will host 170 guests celebrating France and South Australia’s strengthening relationship, with the theme of Friends and Partners in Prosperity and promoting the state as an international investment destination.
- Euronaval Paris from Monday October 17 to Friday October 21. South Australia is leading a strong contingent of defence industry businesses to the international maritime trade show from. The Premier and Minister Hamilton-Smith will meet high-level representatives of the French Government and major European defence companies. Sixteen local companies will join The Defence State stand, with six additional South Australian companies attending as delegates. South Australian tertiary education providers (TAFE SA, the University of Adelaide, Flinders University and University of South Australia) will also have a presence.
- Business mission in Europe. Following Euronaval, the Minister will lead defence industry delegates and educational institutions on a European business mission, which will include visits to the shipyards of potential Future Frigate design partners.
Background
The delegation to Europe supports the State Government’s economic priority to expand the State’s $18 billion premium food and wine export sector.
A sustainable defence industry also plays an important role in South Australia’s economic development in support of the growth through innovation economic priority.
Quotes attributable to Premier Jay Weatherill
Europe is South Australia’s most established trading partner; a source of significant foreign direct investment into South Australia and a major destination for our exports. More than 100 European companies have already invested in our state including BAE Systems, Sundrop Farms, Siemens and Liebherr among them.
South Australia is getting on with the task of maximising industry and job opportunities arising from the $89 billion Future Naval Shipbuilding programs and the decision to award the design contract to France’s DCNS.
Quotes attributable to Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith
In the past year, the State exported approximately $1.4 billion worth of products to Europe, highlighting its importance as a trading partner. More than 65,000 South Australian jobs are supported by exports and the State Government is committed to seeing this number increase.
Continuing growth in trade and exports will lead to a strong economy and job creation.