The QLD Government aims to expand its trade and investment contacts through a young Professional's network launched in New York on June 16 2003 by Premier Peter Beattie. Membership of the Young Australian Professionals in America (YAPA) Queenslanders Network is open to Queensland expatriates and Americans with an interest in, or connection to, Queensland.

YAPA was formed less than 12 months ago and has already attracted 1,024 members, including 250 Queenslanders. YAPA's patrons are Lachlan Murdock (Deputy Chief Operation Officer News Corporation), Anthony Pratt (Chairman Pratt Industries USA), and Peter Lowy (CEO Westfield America).

According to Mr Beattie, the expatriate network plays a part in developing trade and investment opportunities for Queensland in the United States. Young Queenslanders in the US are working in fields such as biotechnology, ICT, finance and creative industries - areas being targetted under QLD's Smart State strategy. The Beattie government has contributed $AUD 10,000 toward the establishment of the YAPA QLDers Network.

YAPA estimates there are 200,000 Australians living and working all over the United States with Queenslanders making up about 10 per cent of that number, so the network is potentially very extensive.

FOR MORE INFORMATION - visit YAPA's website by clicking on the link below.