What’s Happening?
Townsville is strengthening its place in Queensland’s critical minerals, energy and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Trade and Investment Queensland representatives visited the region to meet local mayors, businesses and members of the wider business community. Their program included company visits, discussions with emerging businesses and a visit to the Port of Townsville.
The visit helped present Townsville’s capabilities to representatives working across major international markets. It also highlighted how the region’s businesses, port, education sector and government links can support trade and investment.
Trade and Investment Queensland is the Queensland Government’s dedicated global business agency. It provides market insights, export opportunities and international connections through its statewide network and overseas offices.
Why It Matters
Demand for critical minerals continues to grow as countries invest in energy, batteries and advanced manufacturing. Townsville has local companies and supporting infrastructure that could help Queensland respond to those opportunities.
Ross Buchanan, Agent-General for Queensland, said the region’s capabilities aligned closely with opportunities emerging across Europe.
“The opportunities that Townsville has on offer actually matches the opportunities coming out of Europe, so I feel there’s going to be a lot of excellent new investment and trade opportunities coming out of our visit,” Mr Buchanan said.
He said Queensland also matched European priorities in several important areas.
“Queensland at the moment matches well with the European guidelines on sustainability, and also educational opportunities also abound,” he said.
Local Impact
The visit gave Townsville businesses direct contact with trade representatives working across Japan, Latin America and Europe. It also allowed visiting officials to meet local leaders and see the region’s capabilities firsthand.
Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner for Japan Melissa Inooka praised Townsville’s welcome and the range of activities included in the visit.
“Townsville’s been amazing. They’ve turned on the weather for us today. It’s been absolutely beautiful,” Ms Inooka said. “We’ll be going out to the port today. We’re going out with some fantastic emerging companies today. We’re meeting with some mayors. They’ve turned on the weather and they’ve turned on the welcome for us. It’s been amazing.”
Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner for Latin America Alejandro Palma Rioseco also praised the business visits and meetings held across the region.
“Not only the weather’s been good, the visits of the companies and the activities that we organise in the morning with the mayors, with the business community has been great,” Mr Palma Rioseco said.
He said Townsville offered the services and business quality of a major city while making local connections easier.
“Everything is like a big major city but smaller, so you get the access to people, you get to understand more about businesses, but at the same time you get the same quality of businesses,” he said.
TIQ’s government-funded services are free for Queensland businesses. The agency supports companies entering international markets and those seeking to expand their existing overseas operations.
Its statewide and global networks provide businesses with market information, export opportunities and connections that can support informed decisions.
By the Numbers
- Three senior Queensland trade representatives discussed Townsville’s international trade, investment and business potential during the regional visit.
- Two critical minerals companies, Vecco Group and Graphinex, were highlighted for their work within Queensland’s growing industry.
- Four regional organisations were named alongside the visit, including the port, council and two education bodies.
Zoom In
Vecco Group and Graphinex were highlighted as examples of North Queensland companies contributing to the critical minerals economy.
Mr Palma Rioseco said Vecco Group was playing an important role in developing the battery industry and improving access across the sector.
“Vecco is one of the edge companies in the battery industry. They’re doing very important things developing this industry and making it more accessible to all levels,” he said.
Ms Inooka said the Graphinex demonstration plant showed how Queensland’s local capabilities could support a wider international market.
“We’re here at the Graphinex demonstration plant and it’s a real example of what we have here on the ground in Queensland that is actually leading into a market for natural, high-quality graphenite,” she said.
Zoom Out
Townsville’s critical minerals and advanced manufacturing activity forms part of Queensland’s wider offer to international markets.
The region combines local industry, port access, education, government support and direct connections with the business community. These strengths allow visiting representatives to understand local operations and identify possible overseas opportunities.
Ms Inooka said the qualities found across the Townsville region were beginning to gain stronger international recognition.
“Townsville region has this hidden quality that the world is actually discovering at the moment,” she said.
Port of Townsville Limited, James Cook University, Study Queensland and Townsville City Council were also named as part of the regional program.
TIQ aims to grow Queensland’s economy by helping local businesses succeed internationally. Its support covers companies beginning to export and established businesses seeking further growth in new markets.
What To Look For Next?
The visit could support further discussions between Townsville businesses and contacts across Japan, Latin America and Europe.
Local companies may gain more opportunities to present their critical minerals, technology and manufacturing capabilities to overseas markets.
TIQ can support businesses with market information, export opportunities and international connections. Businesses can learn more through https://lnkd.in/g7vw3z-Q.
**Source: Trade and Investment Queensland
