Major Japanese UAV provider to set up regional office in Brisbane

Japan’s leading unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) provider Terra Drone has selected Queensland as the location for its new regional office.

In making the announcement, Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment Jackie Trad said the company’s decision to come to Brisbane had been inspired by the Queensland Government’s “drive to advance innovation and entrepreneurship across the state”.

“Terra Drone were really excited about the Palaszczuk Government’s focus on innovation and decided that Queensland was the ideal place for a base in the Asia Pacific region,” Ms Trad said.

“They will be setting up in Brisbane’s River City Labs innovation precinct and will be looking to build on their already productive relationships with local businesses and academics.”

She said she had met the company’s CEO Toru Tokushige on his recent visit to Brisbane, during which he expressed his enthusiasm about Queensland’s drone-friendly policy framework as well as the support for innovation, entrepreneurship and growth through the Government’s Advance Queensland policy.

“Collaborations with international companies like Terra Drone will further drive innovation and create jobs in Queensland in industries like mining and agriculture but also in traffic management, infrastructure and healthcare,” the Minister concluded.

Mr Tokushige, who attended an Infrastructure Investment Seminar in Tokyo during the Premier’s trade mission late last year, said he has since visited Queensland several times to explore collaboration opportunities.

“After visiting numerous countries, Terra Drone Corporation was very happy to select Queensland,” Mr Tokushie said.

“We are bringing our cutting edge and innovative technology to Queensland and are looking to expand our business to a broader global market.”