INCREASING business between Papua New Guinea and Cairns was part of the diversification of the Far North's economy, State Treasurer Andrew Fraser has told State Parliament.
"Across our state it is no revelation that some parts have been hit harder than others," he said.
"An area of priority for our Government is Cairns and the Far North. That is why this Government put forward an economic stimulus plan for the region in an effort to strengthen and diversify the local economy.
"The $116 million Cairns Economic Future Plan was announced last November and included new and brought-forward funding for infrastructure projects and a strategy to attract greater business investment.
"It was about activities in the near term-employment programs, Green Army initiatives, local government capital works projects and, in the long term, a strategy to diversify the Cairns economy."
Mr Fraser said tourism, and, more particularly, Japanese tourism has long been the wellspring of the Cairns economy.
"The challenges of the last couple of years have shown clearly that Cairns needs more strings to its bow," he said.
"Part of our plan involves strengthening trade and business opportunities between Papua New Guinea and Cairns.
"We also resolved to appoint a Cairns-based special trade representative to PNG.
"PNG is already an important trading partner for Queensland with new ABS data showing Queensland's merchandise exports to PNG were valued at $699 million in the last financial year, up 20 per cent from $575 million in 2008-2009.
"Importantly, our northern neighbour is also about to experience major economic growth through the exporting of LNG and we want Cairns to make the most of the economic opportunities that the boom in the region will bring."
Mr Fraser said the appointment of Jeremy Blockey to the position of special trade representative, to replace former mayor Kevin Byrne, was part of the plan to build business links with PNG.
"As well as running his own consultancy firm, Mr Blockey is the president of the Cairns Chamber of Commerce and a director of Advance Cairns," he said.
He said Mr Blockey's appointment would help further strengthen Cairns' position as a gateway for companies seeking to take up the opportunities in PNG.
As the special trade representative, Mr Blockey will also be a member of the new Queensland-PNG Business Group, set up to advise Trade and Investment Queensland on business relations with PNG.
This group is chaired by Simon Wild, a well known and respected businessman and chairman of Airlines PNG based out of Cairns.
