A QUEENSLAND trade office will be set up during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing to create export opportunities and open up trade negotiations.

Premier and Minister for Trade Peter Beattie says Queensland exporters will be winners at the 2008 games in China.

"I am delighted to announce we will be opening a Queensland Trade Office in Beijing to stimulate investment and business between China and the Smart State in the lead up to and during the Games," says Beattie.

"China is a major market for Queensland, generating $2.75 billion worth of merchandise goods exports in 2005-'06, including $754 million in metalliferous ores and metal scrap, $438 million in coal, coke and briquettes and $351 million worth of textile fibres and their wastes."

Beattie says the Queensland shopfront in Beijing will ensure a highly visible Smart State presence for business and industry between May and August 2008.

"It will be a business facilitation hub, providing Queenslanders with a place to meet Chinese firms and access support services," he says.

"It will also be selling the strong message abroad that Queensland is an attractive investment destination and a supplier of first choice for quality products and services."

The Queensland Trade Office in Beijing will additionally provide a range of
services to strengthen dialogue across industry sectors, including the knowledge-intensive industries.

Sectors expected to grow trade to China in coming years include; natural resources - mining, energy and energy generation, and water; sports, recreation and tourism; agriculture - beef, fruit (mango, citrus) and vegetables; education and training services to the public and private sectors.

There are Queensland Trade Offices already operating in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Guangzhou.