The State Government today launched a $20 million program that will support increased investment in the agrifood sector, as part of the Government's $300 million Seizing the Opportunity Agriculture initiative.
Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said WA Open for Business program would establish a local trade office and improve the alignment of the various agencies working to promote Western Australian agribusiness.
Mr Redman said WA would require $3 billion to $6 billion in investment over the next decade to double the real-term value of sales from its agrifood sector by 2025.
"This State is being increasingly seen as a potential investment destination for agribusiness internationally due to its availability of land, water and climatic conditions suitable for a wide range of agricultural produces," he said.
"WA Open for Business will be a game changer for the State's agribusiness sector and will have synergy with the Government's planned reforms to the Rangelands, the Ord-East Kimberley Expansion and the Water for Food projects and link to the other projects of the Seizing the Opportunity Agriculture initiative."
The Minister said the trade office would complement current activities of the private sector, overseas WA trade and investment offices and Austrade.
The office will act as a shop-front with advice on investment opportunities and co-ordination across government agencies while also helping local agriculture and food businesses to become investment ready and link them with potential investors.
The program will work with regional businesses and closely with the Department of Agriculture and Food WA and the Government's new special agriculture unit within the Department of State Development, which focuses on international trade development.
Fact File
The trade office is expected to be established in the next few months and will be based in Perth
The office will be managed by the Department of Regional Development
WA Open for Business will be led by the Department of Regional Development
The State Government's Royalties for Regions program has allocated $6.1 billion into more than 3,600 projects across regional WA since 2009
Minister's office - 6552 6700
