Advancing international trade opportunities for local businesses is the focus of this week’s visit to the South West by four of WA’s trade commissioners.
The State’s trade commissioners to China, Japan, India and Indonesia are in the region undertaking a series of business engagements, sharing insights and market opportunities as well as gaining a deeper understanding of local economic development prospects.
Highlights of their three days in the South West will include an exporters’ forum to discuss options for accessing Asia in the recovery from COVID-19, and an entrepreneurs and investors pitch event.
Also on the itinerary are site visits to commercial operations and strategic industrial land, as well as meeting local industry leaders across sectors including horticulture, wine, meat processing, freight and logistics as well as advanced engineering and manufacturing.
The visit has been organised by the South West Development Commission and TradeStart in partnership with the Invest and Trade WA team within the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation.
Support has been received by Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, City of Bunbury, the South West China Business Association, South West Angels, and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, as well as local businesses and organisations.
SWDC chief executive officer Mellisa Teede said having the trade commissioners in the region created an opportunity to develop deeper links with important contacts in international markets.
“The Commission is contracted by Austrade to deliver TradeStart services in the South West, providing direct export facilitation. With help from our trade team, local businesses are growing their markets overseas,” Ms Teede said.
“We are delighted to be able to provide local businesses with a chance to network with the trade commissioners and receive insight from them, particularly while trading conditions remain challenging.
“We hope this will assist local exporters to position themselves to maintain or grow export activity, particularly as Asia continues to adjust to new trading conditions in the recovery from COVID-19.
“As part of our wider work to support the economy and jobs, we are looking at what we can do to diversify our economy, increase productivity and attract investment.”
Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation executive director Rebecca Ball said the trade commissioners would gain first-hand insight into South West business capability as well as its aspirations for investment attraction.
“This will help commissioners to strategically promote South West trade and investment opportunities,” she said.
“The South West is a key region in Western Australia’s strategy to diversify and strengthen the state economy – a region with already incredibly diverse strengths such as mining, tourism, premium wine and food and manufacturing.”
Ms Teede encouraged businesses seeking advice and assistance with trade and investment to contact the TradeStart team at SWDC.
The work of the State’s international trade commissioners is coordinated by the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation.
More information about the work of the commissioners and trade and investment opportunities in offshore markets can be directed to the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation’s Invest and Trade WA team.
