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The Queensland Government has unveiled its Queensland–Pacific Trade and Investment Strategy 2026–2028, setting out a structured plan to deepen commercial engagement with Pacific economies and build on more than $9 billion in existing trade links.
The strategy, led by Trade and Investment Queensland, positions the state as “Australia’s Pacific State”, reflecting both geographic proximity and longstanding economic and cultural ties with the region.
At its core, the document identifies four priority sectors for growth: food and agribusiness, education and training, infrastructure, and energy technologies. These areas align with rising demand across Pacific economies for skills development, sustainable infrastructure, and clean energy solutions.
Queensland’s exports to the Pacific already exceed $3 billion annually, supported by strong aviation and port connectivity and a large Pacific diaspora, with around 35 per cent of Australia’s Pacific community residing in the state.
The strategy highlights favourable market conditions, including a young and growing population across Pacific Island countries, expanding urbanisation, and increasing demand for services and infrastructure. Regional growth is projected at around 3.4 per cent in 2026, offering steady, if cautious, opportunities for exporters and investors.
It also underscores Queensland’s competitive advantages in engineering, construction, training, and renewable energy, positioning local firms to participate in major infrastructure and energy projects across the region.
However, the strategy acknowledges structural challenges, including small and dispersed markets, high logistics costs, regulatory inconsistencies, and vulnerability to climate events, all of which can constrain investment and project delivery.
To address these, TIQ will focus on facilitating business-to-business connections, supporting trade missions, and strengthening government-to-government engagement to improve market access and project participation.
The document signals a shift toward more deliberate, long-term engagement with the Pacific, moving beyond transactional trade toward deeper economic partnerships. With increasing global interest in the region, Queensland’s approach is aimed at securing a stronger commercial foothold while supporting broader regional resilience and development.
Download the strategy document here.
