The Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, Premier of Queensland, visited Japan with a business delegation and representatives from regional entities, for the first time since she was sworn in as Premier of Queensland on 14 February 2015.

　To commemorate the Premier’s visit, JOGMEC held a special seminar which was attended by representatives of Japanese companies that are involved in Queensland resources industry. This seminar is based on the MOU between the Queensland government and JOGMEC for a comprehensive and strategic partnership.

　President Kawano firstly gave an address of welcome and gave an overview of outcomes from the last 2 years since signing this MOU. In his presentation, he stated that despite the decline in resources prices which has affected Japanese companies outlook for investment in Queensland, JOGMEC has signed 3 joint venture agreements with local resources companies and also held 6 investment promotion seminars, both in Tokyo and Brisbane.

　The Premier then gave a speech outlining her resources policies. The Premier spoke of the continuing importance of the resources trading relationship, centered around coal, with Japan to Queensland and also reported that since coming to office in February, the government has been working on fundamental review to further streamline resources policies, with the “innovative resources tenures framework” and ”My Mines Online” as examples. She further spoke about the importance of finding balance between landholders and environmental protection for resource developments. This was followed by a Q &A and networking session.

　JOGMEC intends to develop further resource business with Queensland, a state which is rich in not only coal but natural gas and metals resources and also promote further investment into the state by Japanese companies.