- Cook Government to establish new Investment and Trade Commissioner in Singapore
- New Commissioner to strengthen WA's trade presence in the ASEAN region, building on the existing Jakarta-based role
- Role to support diversifying the State's economy and local jobs in WA
The Cook Government is expanding Western Australia's presence in South East Asia as part of its commitment to setting up the State's economy for the future, today announcing a new Investment and Trade Commissioner to be based in Singapore.
As part of the 2024-25 State Budget, the Cook Government has allocated $4.4 million to establish a second trade Commissioner role in the ASEAN region, further cementing the State's strong presence in the region and helping WA businesses access trade opportunities.
The new role means WA will have two Commissioners in the ASEAN region, with the new Singapore role to work alongside the Jakarta-based role to manage the large number of investment and trade enquiries flowing from the important market.
Over the past two years, the WA Labor Government has expanded WA's trade presence in the ASEAN region, with new locations established in Vietnam, Kuala Lumpur and the Philippines.
The Investment and Trade Commissioner based in Singapore will have oversight of the Invest and Trade WA offices in Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia, with the current Jakarta-based Investment and Trade Commissioner to have responsibility for the State's presence in Indonesia and the Philippines.
In 2022-23, Singapore was WA's fourth largest trading partner, with trade totalling $16 billion.
The ASEAN region is Western Australia's number one region for trade leads and an important region for investment interest, particularly in renewable energy.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"WA is a trading State and our economic future depends on strong relationships with our trading partners across the rapidly-growing ASEAN region.
"Our new Investment and Trade Commissioner position will help us to tap into new markets, unlock new business opportunities and support local jobs right across WA.
"Our network of trade offices is going from strength to strength under my Government, as part of my commitment to doing what's right for WA and setting up our State for the future."
