2002 premier of Queensland's Export Awards winners - Australian Export Awards - Brief Article

Business Asia, Nov, 2002

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie congratulated a record 125 Queensland exporters for entering the Premier of Queensland's Export Awards when he presented 13 awards at a presentation gala dinner in Brisbane on Wednesday 23 October 2002.

A record audience of 820 guests, drawn from the State's export, business and corporate community, attended the glittering annual event to applaud the hard work and initiative of Queensland's leading exporters.

One of the Australian mining industry's most dramatic turnarounds earned MIM's coal operations the title of Queensland Exporter of the Year for 2002.

MIM Holdings Limited's coal operations also won the minerals and energy category.

The mining giant's once-struggling coal business unit fought back from losses in the mid-1990s to an estimated before-tax profit of $400 million in 2001-02. Along the way it doubled production and productivity and reduced unit costs.

Runner-up for the title of Exporter of the Year was Bundaberg's Jabiru Aircraft, the winner of the small to medium manufacturing category. Jabiru manufactures and sells Australian-designed light aircraft, aircraft kits, engines and parts to steadily expanding markets in North America, Europe, Africa and the Asia Pacific.

"Exporters like MIM and Jabiru, and indeed all entrants, create jobs and wealth and deserve to be recognised for their contribution," Beattie said.