Economic diversification focus in McGowan trips

Education and tourism will be the focus for Mark McGowan’s first overseas mission, with an October trip to China, followed by a November trip to Japan, announced today.

Mr McGowan will head to Hangzhou, a Chinese city with population of around 9 million and capital of Western Australia’s sister state the Zhejiang province, to celebrate the 30 years of relations between the two jurisdictions.

Representatives from the state’s tourism bodies, universities and training providers will join Mr McGowan, as will cabinet ministers including Asian Engagement Minister Bill Johnston.

The group will also visit Shanghai, with ministers then heading on to Beijing.

Mr McGowan’s November trip to Japan will include representatives of another WA sister state, the Hyogo prefecture.

It comes about nine months after former treasurer Mike Nahan signed a sister state deal with the Indian province of Andhra Pradesh, which has had annual GDP growth of 11 per cent for the past decade.

Mr McGowan said the trip would satisfy an election committment.

"Tourism and education are important components of our plan to diversify the state's economy and create jobs and these delegations will assist in creating more opportunities in these areas,” he said.

"China and WA have a longstanding relationship, fostered over successive governments, and I'm honoured to be leading this delegation for my first international trip as premier.

"I also look forward to travelling to Japan later in the year.  

“Japan has played a vital role in the growth of WA's economy, especially through its early support for the iron ore and gas sectors, and remains a very important partner for our state."