Dr Martha Connolly, Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development Ladies and gentlemen On behalf of the Queensland Government, I thank the Ambassador Michael Thawley and his staff for allowing us to use the Australian Embassy for this reception.
Today is an important occasion for Queensland.
It s important because we re involved in a forum Biocapital Connection that s promoting the need for international partnerships in biotechnology. In fact, this three-day forum is a partnership involving the Queensland Government, Scottish Enterprise and the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development. My Scottish heritage makes it doubly pleasing that Scottish Enterprise is a partner. Scotland already enjoys an international reputation as a centre of excellence for leading edge biotechnology, and the Scots reputation for being canny with their money makes them ideal partners to get value for money in any joint venture. Maryland is an easy choice for a venue, because it s part of the Biocapital region of the United States Maryland, Washington DC and Virginia.