- Premier Roger Cook to lead an investment and trade mission to India and Vietnam
- Mission will strengthen Western Australia's economic, education and aviation links with two of the State's key regional partners
- Part of push to position WA as a capital of the Indian Ocean Rim and create local job
Premier Roger Cook will lead an investment and trade mission to India and Vietnam from 17-25 September, deepening Western Australia's ties with two of the region's fastest growing economies.
The mission will focus on energy, tourism, aviation, primary industries and workforce development, and opening new opportunities for WA businesses and institutions in both markets to help create local jobs.
The mission reflects WA's unique geographic position between South-East Asia and the Indian Ocean Rim, which provide dynamic trade and investment opportunities.
Together, these regions are home to roughly half the world's population and in 2025 accounted for around a third of global GDP and a third of global economic growth.
In India, the Premier will attend the opening of the University of Western Australia's (UWA) Mumbai Campus, making UWA the first of Australia's Group of Eight (Go8) universities to set up a campus in the country. India is WA's largest international student market with over 15,000 enrolments last year.
Engagements in Mumbai and Delhi will bring together senior government, business, industry and education stakeholders to WA's economic partnership with India.
This includes showcasing WA's investment, tourism, and creative industries opportunities including the new Perth Film Studios alongside areas of ongoing collaboration in mining and the energy transition.
Meetings are also set to be held with major Indian airlines, with the Cook Labor Government's priority for future direct flights to secure a connection between Perth and the region's biggest economy - India. A direct flight would further support WA tourism, trade and investment links.
In Vietnam, the Premier will be joined by Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis, and Parliamentary Secretary Samantha Rowe, alongside a delegation of 32 WA businesses and organisations including those already active in the market, and others seeking to establish new partnerships.
The visit will deepen WA's investment and trade relationship with Vietnam across the energy transition, primary industries and international education sectors, through engagements with key government and industry stakeholders in Dong Nai, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
Minister Jarvis will attend several meetings with key grain, livestock management, food and beverage companies, during which WA's produce and the State's capabilities in these aspects will be promoted.
Parliamentary Secretary Rowe will lead the international education component of the mission by attending schools delivering the Western Australian school curriculum and meeting with relevant education authorities.
Engagements across both countries will position WA as a long-term partner in the energy transition, strengthen direct aviation and tourism links, promote the State's primary industries and expand skills and training pathways to WA.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"Ensuring every Western Australian has the opportunity of a secure, well-paid job is a priority for my government.
"Since we were elected, we have created almost 400,000 new jobs, and we are not done yet.
"Central to our effort to creating jobs is bolstering our trade and investment relationships with the countries in our timezone, and those around the Indian Ocean Rim.
"India and Vietnam are two of Western Australia's largest trading partners, and this mission is an important opportunity to strengthen those relationships and help create jobs and business opportunities for Western Australians.
"Both economies are growing quickly, and there is real potential to expand what we do together across mining, energy, defence, agriculture, education and tourism.
"Ensuring we have the infrastructure to connect into these markets is critical, which is why my government is building Westport and supporting the expansion of Perth Airport.
"My number one priority for future direct flights is to secure a connection between Perth and India, and I look forward to furthering those discussions.
"There is no substitute for sitting down with businesses and governments face-to-face, and it's an opportunity to show our commitment to these important international markets and create WA jobs, now and for the future."
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"I am looking forward to showing what our great State can continue to offer our partners in Vietnam as well as taking this opportunity to progress new trade partnerships in key industries.
"This mission will lead to stronger in-market connections which will also allow WA to improve its access to the Vietnamese market, benefitting not only our local business and produce but the overall relationships in the region."
