Premier leads trade mission to Aichi

3/07/05
A Western Australian delegation led by Premier Geoff Gallop today embarked on a trade mission to Japan.
The mission will coincide with WA week (July 6-8) at the Aichi World Expo where the Premier will participate in the Relationships Day (July 7) and Tourism Day (July 8) functions.
The Premier will also visit Tokyo where his program will include a WA industry seminar and a WA wine promotions event. The event will be the first in a series of promotional campaigns designed to raise the profile of WA wines in Japan.
While in Tokyo, Dr Gallop will meet with representatives of several Japanese businesses including Mitsui and Co - owners of Mitsui Australia, the largest foreign company in Australia covering interests in resources, food, financial and various service industries.
Dr Gallop said the trade mission and the State's participation in the Aichi Expo was a welcome precursor to 2006 - the Year of Exchange between Australia and Japan.
"The trip underscores our strategy of diversifying the State's export base while at the same time strengthening existing trade, investment and cultural links," Dr Gallop said.
"Western Australia places the highest value on its relationship with Japan and events such as the Aichi World Expo and our Hyogo Sister State relationship provide important channels through which we can continue to build strong ties."
Western Australia signed a Sister State Agreement with Hyogo Prefecture in 1981. The WA Government maintains an office in Hyogo's capital city, Kobe to facilitate and assist the Western Australia-Hyogo relationship and related projects.
Dr Gallop said the State's trading relationship with Japan was a key contributor to WA's prosperous economy. In 2004 trade between WA and Japan was valued at more than $8.8billion, with WA exports accounting for $7.4billion.
The Aichi World Expo opened on March 25 and continues until September 25 with industry representatives and others taking part in business matching programs, networking events, investment seminars and presentations at the Australian Pavilion in Aichi and elsewhere in Japan.
Premier's office: 9222 9475