Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Senator Sandy Macdonald, will visit Western Australia this week to promote the state's export strength and meet with key business leaders and groups.
Western Australia has recorded average annual export growth of nearly seven per cent over the past five years which has underpinned a 28 per cent rise in its trade surplus to more than $7 billion.
During his three-day visit, Senator Macdonald will meet with the management of Woodside Energy - one of Western Australia's strongest exporters; attend roundtable discussions with both the Wanneroo and Malaga Business Associations; address the Royal Agricultural Society; and speak to the Swan Chamber of Commerce.
"Western Australia's strong export performance epitomises the opportunities that are available to Australian companies in international markets. Eleven per cent of small and medium sized enterprises in Western Australia now export, providing a valuable contribution to the local economy," Senator Macdonald said.
"Western Australia accounts for 30 per cent of national merchandise exports while only having 10 per cent of Australia's population."
During the 2004-05 financial year, Austrade provided 310 Western Australian companies $11.5 million in Export Market Development Grants. These grants helped generate nearly $355 million in export sales for the recipient companies.
"I would encourage more Western Australian businesses to look into the opportunities of exporting and to utilise the assistance provided by the Australian Government's premier trade facilitator - Austrade," Senator Macdonald said.
"The Australian Government will continue to work hard to promote the benefits of exporting and to secure favourable trading conditions for Australian companies, including the opportunities that arise from our free trade agreements with key trading partners."
The visit will be an opportunity for Senator Macdonald to engage with the Western Australian business community to discuss export related issues and developments and the Australian Government's efforts to enhance international trading conditions for local companies.
