Exports key to continued economic and employment growth

16/9/03
State Development Minister Clive Brown today launched 'Export Conference 2003', a State Government initiative aimed at increasing the number of Western Australian exporters.
This is the first time a conference has brought together such a broad range of information for exporters from State and Commonwealth government agencies and the private sector.
The Minister said the conference was a key component of the Gallop Government's strategy to double the number of Western Australian exporters by 2006.
"The importance of WA exports to both the State and national economies has never been more important," Mr Brown said.
"More than one third of Western Australia's GSP is from exports and our exports account for more than a quarter of the national total.
"In addition, WA is leading the nation in export growth."
The Minister said WA needed to diversify its export base to ensure it continued to lead the nation in economic and employment growth.
"Over the last 10 years, more than 80 per cent of WA's exports have been sourced from just 10 product categories," Mr Brown said.
"If WA is to maintain its position at the forefront of the national economy, it is essential that we build upon our traditional export successes with new products and new markets."
The Minister said the Gallop Government had a strong record in export promotion and had implemented a number of initiatives to improve WA's export performance, including:

• opening a Dubai trade office;
• announcing a new trade office for South Korea;
• establishing a WA Trade and Investment Co-ordination Group; and
• developing a WA Trade and Investment Strategy.