A business roadshow designed to deliver good jobs, and better services by generating more local business opportunities, and improving buyer and supplier connections will open in Bundaberg tomorrow.
Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer is speaking at the 2022 Growing Queensland Business Roadshow, and said the event would give small businesses an opportunity to learn more about the government's enhanced Buy Queensland approach.
"The new 2022 Queensland Procurement Policy reaffirms this government's commitment to source more goods and services from small businesses and this Roadshow allows business owners to discover how they can benefit under the new policy," Minister Farmer said.
"We want more smaller businesses to benefit, so after surpassing our original target of 25 per cent, we increased it to 30 per cent – which is a $300 million a year increase.
"Our Buy Queensland approach is about boosting procurement with our small and medium-sized businesses because this creates good jobs that support local communities and fuels our economy.
"This approach was introduced in 2017 and since then the government has invested more than $75.5 billion with almost 80,000 businesses – the best part is that $8.83 billion has gone to more than 28,670 Queensland regional businesses.
"It not only benefits businesses – it benefits local and state economies, industries and our communities."
Minister Farmer said Bundaberg based IT company Queensland Computers was an example of how the Queensland Government buying local and supporting small businesses creates jobs and prosperity for the state.
"Queensland Computers has experienced significant growth since becoming a Queensland Government supplier, with a team of almost 40 staff now servicing over 175,000 square kilometres from five offices across the state with their head office remaining in Bundaberg," Minister Farmer said.
"As a supplier to the Department of Education, the company has provided tens of thousands of computers and iPads to schools in every corner of our state.
"Queensland Computers also partnered with the Department of State Development to implement statewide meeting room technology during COVID-19."
Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith said that the Palaszczuk Government support for small business has created tremendous opportunity for the regions.
"Bundaberg is a heart and soul city of Queensland with a wide variety of innovative local businesses such as Queensland Computers who are being recognised already on a state-wide level," Mr Smith said.
"The partnership with Queensland Computers will highlight for Bundaberg businesses a path to traverse the procurement process and engage further with state government opportunities."
The Growing Queensland Business Roadshows kicked off on the Gold Coast in October and will visit 12 regional centres from Cairns to Toowoomba, before concluding on the Sunshine Coast later this month.
Minister Farmer said events like this were important in the lead up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"Taking Buy Queensland on the road means more and more regional businesses have access to information, new networks and opportunities," Minister Farmer said.
"Tomorrow, we have sessions dedicated to topics such as tendering tips and how to take full advantage of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games – it's important we start preparing now."
Energy and Procurement Minister Mick de Brenni said the Palaszczuk Government's Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan along with the Olympics and Paralympics would boost business in the state in a way never seen before.
"Our Energy and Jobs plan will invest $62 billion, and importantly around 95% of will be invested in regional Queensland," Minister de Brenni said.
"That's a huge opportunity for the businesses of Bundaberg and Wide Bay to create jobs in both energy and supply to the 2032 Games across in construction, operation, manufacturing, food and beverages.
"Not only will we deliver more cheaper cleaner and secure energy but we'll back regional Queensland farmers and producers to deliver the highest quality, low emissions food and beverages to our local and global markets," he said.
Members of the Queensland Small Business Advisory Council (QSBAC) will also meet with Roadshow participants.
"I'm pleased that members of our QSBAC can join us to talk directly to Bundaberg's small business owners and I look forward to hearing their feedback when I meet with them for QSBAC's final meeting for 2022 later tomorrow," Minister Farmer said.
"It's been a big year for the Council, and I'd like to thank them for their hard work and support of Queensland's small business sector."
To learn more about the 2022 Growing Queensland Business Roadshows visit https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/marketing-sales/tendering/growing-business-roadshow
To learn more about the Queensland Small Business Advisory Council visit https://desbt.qld.gov.au/small-business/council
