Minister to head educationalists' trade mission to Thailand next wk

28/8/98

Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan will lead a trade mission of senior educationalists to Thailand next week to examine opportunities for Western Australia to meet emerging demand for education and training services.

Mr Cowan said Thailand had experienced great difficulties in the past year due to the economic downturn and large depreciation of the baht.

However, he said a considerable effort was being made to strengthen the economy and one aspect of this was the need to address skilled labour shortages.

Mr Cowan said Thailand was keen to increase its export capability and competitiveness to help with its economic recovery and significant opportunities existed for WA firms to provide services which helped achieve this goal.

"Education and training are likely to be particular areas of opportunity," he said.

The trade mission includes representatives of Edith Cowan University, Edwards College, TAFE International WA, the International Learning Foundation, the Language Academy, consultants Mackay & Schnellmann Pty Ltd, training providers Solovan Pty Ltd and the Western Australian International Education Marketing Group.

Mr Cowan said 28 Thai education agents visited Perth last month to examine the education facilities available to overseas students and the visit to Thailand was a timely follow-up. A total of 768 Thai overseas students were enrolled in WA tertiary institutions last year. Opportunities also existed for Western Australian companies to provide education and training services in Thailand.

The delegation will be attending the 11th Australia-Thailand Joint Business Conference in Bangkok, which includes a specific focus on education and training issues.

Mr Cowan will also deliver a keynote address at a luncheon hosted by the Australia-Thailand Business Council.

Other highlights of the visit include meetings with Minister of University Affairs,. Cdr Deja Sucarom, Minister of Education ,. Mr Chumpol Silpa-Archa, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, Mr Chaiyot Sasomsub, Deputy Minister of Commerce,. Mr Photipong Lamsam, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Mr Yandhet Thongsima and senior executives of World Bank (Thailand).

The trade mission departs Perth on Sunday.

Media Contact: Peter Jackson 9222-9595