The Queensland government in Australia has announced the appointment of a woman with Samoan heritage as its Trade Commissioner for the Pacific Islands including Samoa.

Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment said in a media release issued on 30 March 2023 that Leata Alaimoana will work out of the Brisbane office of Trade and Investment Queensland and will travel extensively throughout the Pacific as part of her new job.

She has 20 years of experience managing projects in economic development, international trade and investment, and international affairs. Prior to taking up her new role, Ms. Alaimoana was the impact investment manager with Pacific Trade Invest Australia, the trade and investment arm of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).

"The Pacific Trade Commissioner is part of the Pacific Engagement Plan funded under the $150 million Queensland Trade and Investment Strategy 2022-2032 launched last year," reads the Queensland government media release. 

"Ms. Alaimoana will lead the Palaszczuk Government’s Pacific Trade Strategy. The strategy’s focus is on key export partners across Melanesia and Polynesia, including Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa."

Ms. Alaimoana will be assisted by a development specialist in Papua New Guinea, to drive trade and investment opportunities for Queensland and PNG businesses.

Another business development specialist inside a strengthened TIQ office in New Zealand will work for Ms. Alaimoana to oversee relationships in Polynesian nations, including Samoa and Tonga.

The strategy led by Ms. Alaimoana will enable Queensland to enhance and expand its existing relationships and develop new alliances for the benefit of Queensland businesses and industry, and the region.

Cameron Dick, the Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, said as the Pacific region is Queensland's nearest neighbour and there are "significant economic opportunities" for Queensland companies and businesses. 

“Growing the State’s international network to the Pacific will contribute to fostering a strong, stable, and successful region that enables two-way trade and investment and importantly creates economic opportunities for Queensland businesses," Mr. Dick said.

“Queensland is also the only Australian jurisdiction to have a formal agreement with Papua New Guinea, which has been in place since 1992. By Queensland becoming further embedded in the business development environment within the Pacific, there will be two-way support for businesses to grow, build new connections, and increase trade.”

The CEO of Trade and Investment Queensland, Justin McGowan, said Ms. Alaimoana's understanding of Pacific business and trade opportunities is important. 

“Leata Alaimoana brings a great deal to the role, particularly her understanding of the Pacific business community and the trade opportunities in the region.”

Ms. Alaimoana – who is an Australian with Samoan heritage and was born and raised in Wellington, New Zealand – said she was proud to bring her Pacific Island heritage to Queensland and it is a privilege to serve in the role of Queensland Trade Commissioner for the Pacific Islands.

“I’m thrilled to be leading the Queensland Government’s Pacific Engagement Plan and elevating our state’s profile in the Pacific region," she said.

“There are so many synergies and great opportunities that we can explore with Queensland’s closest neighbours and I’m confident that this targeted focus will result in very positive trade and investment outcomes that will benefit our state and the entire region.”

In 2021, Queensland exports to Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu were valued at $856 million, representing 31.6 per cent of Australian exports to the region.