Tasmania “made its presence felt” in last week’s trade mission to the United States, Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff says.
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Eight businesses and Tasmanian Defence Advocate Rear Admiral joined Mr Rockliff in pursuing advanced manufacturing and defence opportunities within the US. The mission attended the Sea Air Space Expo in Washington, with Mr Rockliff also conducting meetings with US Defence representatives and private defence representatives.
The newly appointed Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Minister said the state more than held its own at the expo.
“The feedback from other businesses and potential customers at the expo was very positive,” he said.
“Tasmania represented one third of the Australian Defence Force stand at the expo, so it had a significant presence.
“It was no surprise, given the amount of strong and innovative businesses we have in our own backyard.”
The trade mission included Pivot Maritime International, which manufactures state-of-the-art simulation systems from Legana. PMI managing director Dr Jeffrey Hawkins said the visit could potentially have a “dramatic” impact on its business.
“The US probably has the most important market, because others follow what it has,” he said.
“There were three US departments that showed great interest in what we do.
“We’re expecting several millions of dollars worth of business to come out of this.
“None of it would have happened without the government working together with industry.”