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Queensland trade mission to Germany

QUEENSLAND premier, Peter Beattie, is aiming to open markets for coal in Germany.

Staff Reporter

Beattie left last week on an 11-day trade mission accompanied by 20 business executives. Beattie will visit England, Belgium and Ireland, but spend the bulk of time in Germany.

Beattie said the government of Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder was moving away from nuclear power and reforming the German coal industry.

"The quality of German coal has diminished significantly and while the German government is supporting some mining they are indicating they are going to phase out some of the subsidies," Beattie said.

"If subsidies are reduced from existing German coal and there is a move away from nuclear power that provides an enormous opportunity for Queensland coal into the German market that didn't exist before."

Beattie said he would not be signing any specific deals but rather opening up long-term opportunities.

Thiess chairman Martin Albrecht, one of the business leaders accompanying Beattie, said that while there was potential for a bigger share of the coal market, there were great opportunities for partnerships in technology.

"We need to be continuously reminding our trading partners that with all the global uncertainty that we have in the Middle East now...that Australia continues to grow in stature as a reliable trading partner," Albrecht said.

"And this is not just in resources - there are all sorts of opportunities in biotechnology and collaborative initiatives."

Albrecht said Germany was also a hub for other Eastern European nations.

"To have good relationships with Germany gives us leverage and a good entry to other markets," he said.

Beattie will meet with senior figures from one of the world's largest industrial companies, Seimens, as well as resources leaders.

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