ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Wes Moore today joined State of South Australia Premier Peter Malinaukas to renew an economic memorandum of understanding between Maryland and South Australia. The agreement—first signed in September 2019 and focused on collaboration in cybersecurity, small satellites and space-has been expanded to include testing ranges, workforce development, and unmanned autonomous vehicles. The agreement will last three years, with the option to renew.

"Maryland and South Australia stand united in our shared commitment to innovation, growth, and discovery. We are natural collaborators and dedicated friends," said Gov. Moore. "This expanded partnership will boost business in Maryland, promote international cooperation, and sharpen our competitiveness. Partnership produces progress, and our administration will continue to focus on strengthening the bonds that link Maryland with our friends around the world."

In 2023, the Maryland Department of Commerce led a delegation of Maryland companies to various trade shows in Australia, including the Avalon Airshow and Indo-Pacific 2023, to establish connections with Australian companies. 

The department’s Office of International Trade and Investment also traveled to South Australia to meet with the Defence SA, South Australia’s lead government agency for all defense industry matters. The group participated in the Defence SA Business Mission, which included a delegation of U.S. companies and economic development representatives meeting with Australian companies to explore collaborations in the nuclear submarine industry. 

South Australian companies have also expressed interest in collaborating with U.S companies, with the department visiting a number of Centers of Excellence in South Australia, including the Adelaide BioMed City Innovation District, the Adelaide University Center for Space Resources, and Australia’s Cyber Collaboration Center.

“South Australia and Maryland share a common interest in defense, space and cyber. We are both national leaders in these fields and it is in our mutual interests that we collaborate together. My core focus of this trip to the United States is to strengthen our state’s preparations for the AUKUS submarine project, with a particular focus on developing the skilled workforce required,” said South Australia Premier Peter Malinaukas. “This partnership with Maryland will ensure our government and our local businesses have greater access to the expertise in this state. As the home of the Australian Space Agency, it is important for South Australia to forge close links with NASA, the world's leading aeronautical and space agency.