The Minister for Resources and Energy, the Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, will give American investors a first-hand insight into the growing business opportunities that will simultaneously strengthen Australia's economic performance.
Minister Ferguson leaves for the United States today for the annual G'Day USA: Australia Week event and to meet senior policy-makers, investors, strategists, business leaders and opinion-formers in Los Angeles, Washington and New York.
"These briefings reflect the critical importance of foreign investment to Australia's economic growth. There are new opportunities in resources, energy and tourism for America to invest in projects which, in turn, add billions of dollars to Australia's prosperity," he said.
G'Day USA shows Australia as an innovative, high-growth, sophisticated economy with leading- edge research and technology in products, goods and services. The program highlights Australia's economic credentials as a good place to do business and invest. G'Day USA also showcases Australia's cultural and natural assets and our diverse and spectacular tourism opportunities.
Minister Ferguson will say that, while many nations have abundant resources and people who know how to extract them, Australia stands out by international comparison with a resilient economy underpinned by stable government and strong financial services. Australia is one of the best performing of the advanced economies and was one of only four OECD members to avoid recession following the global financial crisis.
Minister Ferguson will tell business leaders that Australia is a global hub for investment in resources and energy. "Australia is set to emerge as an energy superpower - the major supplier of energy resources to the Asian region.We are the world's biggest supplier of coal, second biggest supplier of uranium and fifth biggest supplier of LNG. It is Australia's goal to be number one in world trade in all three major energy commodities by 2030."
Minister Ferguson's itinerary includes:
- Australian Tourism Export Council roundtable event, Los Angeles
- G'Day USA Gala event, Los Angeles
- Address to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Washington
- Opening of the Australia-USA High Level Group on Energy Cooperation and Innovation with the US Secretary of Energy, Dr Steven Chu, Washington
- Address to an Investors Roundtable, New York
- G'Day USA Australian Resources and Energy Investment Forum, New York
- G'Day USA Financial Services Luncheon, New York
- Minister Ferguson will also meet with key Ministerial counterparts and Congress members.