Premier Colin Barnett is jetting his way to the USA to spruik Western Australia's capabilities as a global energy supplier joining a list of distinguished speakers presenting at one of the world's leading energy policy research forums.
Premier Colin Barnett is jetting his way to the USA to spruik Western Australia's capabilities as a global energy supplier joining a list of distinguished speakers presenting at one of the world's leading energy policy research forums.
Mr Barnett said it is an opportunity to encourage investment into Western Australia and elevate the state's status on the world stage.
"Western Australia is becoming one of the most significant suppliers of high-quality liquefied natural gas to the international market and right now all eyes are on us. By 2020, WA will be second only to Qatar in terms of LNG exports with volume expecting to treble to 60 million tons," he said in a statement.
"WA's importance has been recognised with an invitation to speak at one of the world's foremost energy institutes - the James A Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University.
"My speech will focus on development opportunities for US-based companies in WA and what we as a State expect in terms of local content and jobs for West Australians."
The Premier will also visit New York and while in Washington he will meet with Australia's new Ambassador to the US Kim Beazley; the US Department of Energy; two US Senators on the Energy and Science committees; and visit the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars.
Full announcement below:
Premier to promote WA as a global energy supplier during 10-day USA visit
Portfolio: Premier
Premier Colin Barnett will use his third overseas visit to promote Western Australia as a global energy supplier to business leaders and government agencies in the United States of America.
"This is an opportunity to encourage investment into Western Australia and elevate the State's status on the world stage," Mr Barnett said.
"Western Australia is becoming one of the most significant suppliers of high-quality liquefied natural gas to the international market and right now all eyes are on us. By 2020, WA will be second only to Qatar in terms of LNG exports with volume expecting to treble to 60 million tons.
"WA's importance has been recognised with an invitation to speak at one of the world's foremost energy institutes - the James A Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University."
The Baker Institute's Energy Forum is one of the world's leading energy policy research programs and is based at Rice University in Houston, Texas and the Premier will join a list of distinguished speakers.
"My speech will focus on development opportunities for US-based companies in WA and what we as a State expect in terms of local content and jobs for West Australians," Mr Barnett said.
The Premier will also visit New York and Washington.
"New York is still a critical source of equity and debt funding. An important part of my trip is to raise the profile of WA projects and give confidence to lenders," Mr Barnett said.
"A good sign that the world is recovering from the financial crisis is the fact that the Americans are back in town.
"They are interested in our petroleum industry and the aim of my meetings with banking and finance representatives in New York will be to encourage further investment."
In Washington, the Premier will meet with Australia's new Ambassador to the US Kim Beazley; the US Department of Energy; two US Senators on the Energy and Science committees; and visit the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars.
While oil and gas investment will be the major focus of the trip, the Premier will also meet with the world leading environmental organisation - the Nature Conservancy, fashion industry representatives and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Department of the Interior about the interaction between government, business and American Indians as traditional land owners.
"In the past 18 months this Government has been working hard to secure the State's long-term prosperity with significant resource projects that deliver hundreds of millions of dollars to WA," Mr Barnett said.
"It is this that we as a Government use to build schools and hospitals and deliver frontline services. There is a direct link between how well the State is travelling in regard to investment in resource projects and the quality and level of services we can provide.
"By elevating Western Australia on the world stage I am hopeful that we will see stronger investment and interest in our State for the betterment of families and businesses."
The Premier will travel between April 7-17 with his wife Lyn; a principal adviser; and the Deputy Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
