Businesses and research organisations in the Cairns region have developed specialist skills and knowledge to adapt to the tropical environment and the challenges it presents. This critical mass of knowledge and skills is known as Tropical Expertise, and its base of more than 230 businesses specialise in the production of goods and services that cater to tropical lifestyle, specifically in health, environment, agribusiness, design and construction.
The global tropical economy is projected to reach US$40 trillion in 2025. Cairns-based tropical expertise exports amounted to more than $6.4 million in 2008/09. $4.3 million of this value was International Development Business.
Tropical experts provide innovative solutions to tropical issues, and the Cairns region has particular advantages including:
- Proximity and access to the Asia Pacific region
- Significant capacity in research and development
- Strong partnerships between industry and research institutes
- An extensive network of local stakeholders.
