Brisbane goes global - Brisbane, Australia's international trade

Business Asia, Oct 31, 1999

The Port of Brisbane will look beyond Asia to develop new markets as Australian trade growth and shipping schedules improve, general manager marketing and business development Richard Tooher says.

Tooher said because of the port's relative proximity to Asian markets, the corporation had in the past focused activities on developing that part of its export/import business.

"However, a combination of trade growth and improved shipping schedules, which are inter-dependent, have allowed us to take a more global view, extending our horizons to North America, South America and Europe, while still retaining a major focus on Asia," he said.

"Where in the past businesses trading with these countries may have elected to use Sydney or Melbourne, Brisbane now offers a very solid and cost-effective alternative. The Port of Brisbane is now truly a global port."

As part of its new focus, the corporation has begun a new campaign to strengthen ties with rural Queensland through a strategic change of direction from transport facilitator to service provider to importers and exporters.

Tooher said despite a highly competitive market, Brisbane was continuing its strong growth record and was securing market share from southern ports.

Tooher said an increasing number of businesses that had need of port facilities were relocating to Queensland, and this too had underpinned overall trade growth.