Success of Toowoomba and Surat Basin region highlighted at TSBE fourth AGM

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise held its fourth AGM at the TSBE Board Room, 137 Herries St at 4pm on November 1, 2016.

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise executive chairman Shane Charles spoke on the 2015/2016 financial year report, highlighting the growing role of the organisation across the region.

TSBE is now in its fifth year of operation.

“I am proud of our role in investment attraction. Last year we assisted over 16 companies to the region, and since our inception we have assisted over 60 companies with their decision to relocate,” Mr Charles said.

“TSBE plays a significant role in hosting international delegations to our region and last year alone we hosted over 25 separate investor groups.”

“I am particularly pleased about the role TSBE plays in the resources sector. We are regularly seen and identified as a thought leader in the local content space.”

Mr Charles said members had seen work directed to them through the network, supply chain operations and coordination of TSBE.

“Last year alone, TSBE shared more than 450 work and tender opportunities and facilitated over 1300 targeted introductions.”

“We spoke at over 15 conferences and events, and hosted three national conferences.”

Monthly networking events, known as Enterprise Evenings, continue to be a cornerstone for the business, with more than 4,500 attendees in the year, of which over 75% were at least at manager level.

Important topics for the region last year included Inland Rail, Toowoomba Second Range Crossing and the state of the resources sector.

The flagship TSBE initiative for agriculture and export, Food Leaders Australia, continues to go from strength to strength.

“Our overarching goal to see our region become a food manufacturing hub continues to gather momentum with significant investments from developers over the past year in the meat processing, dairy and nuts,” he said.

TSBE worked with the Wellcamp Airport to facilitate the first international freight flight from the region during 2015/2016 with John Wagner acknowledging that the flight could not have happened without the support of TSBE.

“Our offices in Beijing and Shanghai continue to gather momentum with many members from the region taking advantage of having a representative on the ground to follow up enquiries and give advice.”

Food Leaders Australia undertook two significant programs with the assistance of funding;

• in partnership with Shell (QGC), was the Western Downs Eastern Opportunities project assisted family enterprises to look at export markets

• with the assistance of the federal government a series of workshops and webinars aimed at educating producers of the various Free Trade Agreements

Mr Charles said the board served in a voluntary capacity and received no remuneration whatsoever.

“We should not underestimate the influence that the board has as significant business leaders in our community,” Mr Charles said.

TSBE Annual Report 2015/2016 annual report document is the first time TSBE has compiled the report. .