Andrew Fraser, treasurer and minister for state development and trade of Queensland, is grateful for the assistance the Japanese public and private sectors gave to his state after it was devastated by recent flooding and Cyclone Yasi.
Fraser, in Tokyo this week, expressed his hope that trade ties between Japan and Australia will be strengthened by concluding the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade initiative.
"I also wanted to send a personal thank-you on behalf of . . . the people of Queensland for the generosity of many Japanese people and Japanese companies, like . . . our sister state Saitama, who have given very generously to the people of Queensland during our time of need," Fraser said Tuesday.