WA exports continue to grow

30/9/03
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has reaffirmed Western Australia's place as the nation's leading exporter with the release of the latest trade data.
The figures show that exports from WA grew by 7.3 per cent over a 12-month period to the end of August. Nationally, exports fell by 6.4 per cent over the same period.
For the three months ending August 2003, exports were up 1.9 per cent compared to the same period in the previous year.
Premier Geoff Gallop said WA's performance continued to outstrip all the other States.
"Western Australia accounts for 28.7 per cent of the nation's total exports - up from 25.1 per cent the previous year," Dr Gallop said.
"One of the key objectives of the State Government is to improve our export performance and these figures confirm we are on the right track."
The Premier said while Australia continued to experience problems with a national trade deficit, WA continued to record significant trade surpluses through strong growth in the minerals and agriculture sectors.
"Not only are we committed to seeing more export dollars for WA, we want more WA businesses involved in exporting," Dr Gallop said.
"That is why we have a strategy to double the number of exporters by 2006.
"WA is now responsible for $32.3billion in merchandise exports annually and with a number of major new projects ready to begin there is great potential for an even stronger performance.
"The $25billion LNG deal with China, the North West Shelf onshore expansion, BHP Billiton's Area C iron-ore mine near Newman, the expansion of WMC's Yandicoogina mine and the construction of Rio Tinto's HIsmelt iron-ore processing facility at Kwinana are all expected to bring in valuable export income to WA.
"It underlines this Government's commitment to creating a stronger economy and more jobs and opportunities.
"I'm also excited about the State being on the edge of a new era of export driven growth and prosperity similar to the gold mining boom of the 1890's and the iron-ore boom of the 1960s."
Premier's office: 92229475