Queensland's Premier Peter Beattie is travelling to Papua New Guinea today to sign a trade deal and voice support for a multi billion dollar gas pipeline.
The memorandum of understanding to be signed during the two-day visit will replace the one signed 10 years ago to promote trade and investment.
Mr Beattie says he would tell the PNG government Queensland is a strong supporter of the proposed gas pipeline from the Southern Highlands to industrial areas along Queensland's east coast.
He says Queensland is going through significant industrial growth and there are many opportunities for proponents of the pipeline.
Project participants including ExxonMobil, Oil Search Ltd, ChevronTexaco, the MRDC ( which is representing landowner interests) and Japan PNG Petroleum, each of which needs to give the go-ahead to commit to the pipeline.
It is understood Exxon and Oil Search are close to securing sufficient customers to get the project under way.
