Local and Southeast Asian government and business leaders are meeting at today's WA-ASEAN Trade and Investment Dialogue 2019 to discuss the benefits of deeper connectivity.
Asian Engagement Minister Peter Tinley will open the dialogue by reaffirming the State Government's plan to establish closer ties with a range of Asian nations to diversify the Western Australian economy and create jobs.
ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) presents a significant opportunity for WA to expand its exports and trade relationships across a range of sectors.
ASEAN was established in 1967 and has grown to 10 nations, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The dialogue will include discussion about WA's priority sectors that are well-matched to the needs of ASEAN's expanding economies, including the State's abundant mineral and energy reserves, technology and advanced manufacturing industries, and premium agribusiness products.
There is also significant potential in ASEAN countries for WA's expertise in technical and social services such as healthcare, mining, oil and gas, education, engineering, agriculture and the environment.
Engagement with business and leadership networks such as ASEAN is a key plank of the State Government's Asian Engagement Strategy 2019-2030.
The strategy includes a range of actions to establish improved people-to-people links and business networks that provides WA businesses with easier access to Asian markets.
As stated by the Minister for Asian Engagement Peter Tinley:
"The Western Australian Government is creating closer connections and deeper relationships with a range of Asian nations - it's essential to identify the best trade opportunities for each individual nation.
"Building a stronger and diversified WA economy includes expanding trade with ASEAN nations, in a similar way that trade with important partners China and Japan have built over recent decades.
"The growth of ASEAN economies and populations in the next 20 years is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure the prosperity of generations of Western Australians, and the Government is acting to ensure we are a big part of Asia's future."
