High economic growth rates opening way for increased WA/Thai trade

7/6/96

High economic growth rates in Western Australia and Thailand were opening the way for increased trade between the two markets, Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan has said.

Addressing a major function organised by the Thai-Australian Association and the Australian Thai Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok, Mr Cowan said an increasing range of industry sectors was now emerging that could be jointly capitalised upon.

In particular, professional services was one of the fastest growing components of world trade and an area to which Thailand had given high priority in order to diversify its economic base.

Mr Cowan told the gathering that WA viewed Thailand not only as a valued trading partner, but also as an important neighbour.

"As such we are committed to enhancing and sustaining a greater long-term bilateral relationship," he said.

It was with this in mind that the WA Government had organised the current trade mission to Thailand with the focus being on traded services.

Mr Cowan said that education and training services was a significant growth area and that meetings with Thai Government ministers and senior officials had revealed a high level of interest in what WA had to offer.

WA institutions were conducting courses in overseas locations and developing programs for delivery by overseas institutions.

There was growing WA interest in the Thai market which had been reinforced by the participation in the trade mission of representatives from the WA International Education Marketing Group and the WA Education Department.

Delegation members met with Thailand's Minister for Education, Dr Sukavich Rangsitpol, who expressed his Government's strong commitment to increase the level of vocational training, particularly for children in less developed rural areas.

The Minister showed interest in WA's 'First Steps' language and literacy program which has received growing international recognition.

The interchange of staff and students in more advanced fields, such as environmental science and management was also discussed.

This was a theme pursued later in talks with the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Thailand's Ministry of University Affairs, Professor Kanok Wongtrangan, who said the need to clean up congested cities was often the price of economic success. He recognised WA's standing in the area of environmental science and technology and encouraged further co-operation,.

Another area of interest was business management.

Professor Kanok also raised the possibility of joint effort between educational institutions in WA and Thailand to strengthen the chances of tapping into bigger markets, such as China.

Mr Cowan said the talks had been valuable in obtaining a clearer picture of prospective areas for development in the education field and it was clear that the time was now right to pursue such opportunities.

He also pointed to the valuable role played by Thai students in Australia in stimulating and increasing awareness of business opportunities in WA.

Media contact: Peter Jackson 222 9595