Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman will visit Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from February 14 to 24.
The Middle East is Western Australia's second largest market region, which in 2007-08 imported WA agrifood products to the value of A$1.3billion.
Mr Redman said he would use the visit to Saudi Arabia to lobby the Government to ensure Australian companies were invited to tender for their grain contracts.
"Saudi Arabia is very concerned about the security of its food and water supplies. As a result, they have a new policy of encouraging the import of grain instead of producing it locally, including up to six million tonnes of wheat to be imported annually," he said.
"This could provide enormous market opportunities for Western Australian growers and we need to ensure that the State is considered as a seller of first choice.
"I will also be discussing with my Saudi counterparts the proposal to form a team of experts from both countries to find the most suitable quality of wheat for Saudi Arabia.
"This initiative may see WA become more competitive in tendering for wheat contracts."
The Minister said there was also an opportunity for Western Australian companies to sell their expertise in building state-of-the-art import infrastructure.
"With this move by the Saudi's to import a significant amount of their grain, their infrastructure will need upgrading over the next five years or so," Mr Redman said.
"With our state-of-the-art storage and handling facilities, this may present a business opportunity for Australian companies.
"Saudi Arabia is also encouraging the development of more livestock industries in their regional areas which may open a market gap for more livestock and livestock feed to be exported from WA.
"I will be encouraging the Saudi's to list hay and lupins on their import subsidy list which will ensure WA hay and lupins can compete in their market.
In Kuwait, the Minister will discuss the potential to provide expertise and services relating to livestock production, rangeland management and bio-security auditing.
"I will also visit the major food expo Gulfood 2009 in the UAE to support WA exporters. I am keen to meet with major UAE food processing companies to promote the quality of product from the WA agrifood sector," he said.
While in the Middle East, Mr Redman will also discuss any opportunities to promote WA education, given nearly 4,000 students from the Middle East are attending school, TAFE or university in Western Australia.
Minister's office: 9213 6700
