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South Australian Premier Steven Marshall will use his 10-day trip to the US to focus on attracting more defence and aerospace investment in the state.
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Premier Marshall's US trip will focus on driving South Australia's export opportunities and attract more investment to the state across a number of key sectors, including defence and space, food and wine and the creative industries.
"The United States is a crucial trading partner for our state. We need to ensure we make the most of any opportunity to promote our trade and export potential and create better access for South Australian businesses to US markets," said Premier Marshall.
This renewed export push follows the SA government's announcement of the Defence Landing Pad to be located at the heart of Adelaide's new innovation precinct, Lot Fourteen, as well as the news that Adelaide would host the Australian Space Agency.
"Our state has so much to offer across multiple industries and it’s imperative that we exploit these opportunities for growth. With the establishment of the Australian Space Agency in Adelaide, the United States will be a crucial investor in this sector in South Australia, helping the local space industry reach its full potential," Premier Marshall added.
The Defence Landing Pad and Australian Space Agency will provide immediate access to affordable, short-term office facilities, which are co-located with other like-minded companies and industry associations in the Adelaide CBD.
Richard Price, chief executive of Defence SA and the South Australian Space Industry Centre (SASIC), welcomed the Premier's agenda, saying, "There’s a growing commitment by international companies to collaborate and foster partnerships with Australia in the emerging commercial space sector, Space 2.0. The SmartSat CRC proposal, led by the University of South Australia and Nova Systems, has international contribution from the United States."
Companies will also have access to government and industry support services in a single location, providing assistance with local regulations, migration, business establishment and real estate, as well as information on workforce availability and skilling opportunities.
"With the announcement that South Australia will headquarter the Australian Space Agency in our Lot Fourteen innovation precinct, this trip presents a real opportunity to strengthen existing partnerships and build new relationships for collaboration in the space and defence industries," Price said.
Lot Fourteen is a seven-hectare redevelopment site that aims to drive jobs growth in these fast growing aerospace and defence industries as well as blockchain, robotics and related technologies, with around 1,000 people expected to be working at the site by late 2019.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
