Japanese trade backed by cultural exchange

SOUTHERN Ports and the City of Bunbury in south west Western Australia are shoring up the port’s more than 2.3 million tonnes of trade with Japan over the past 12 months with a cultural exchange.

The $20,000 regional partnership supports community initiatives including a student exchange program between Bunbury and Setagaya, Japan.

The City of Bunbury and the Japanese city of Setagaya have fostered a student exchange program for more than 30 years, with around 450 South West students participating in the program since 1992.

This year, Southern Ports' funding will subsidise 16 students from years 6 and 7 to travel to the Japanese city for 10 days from late September, where they will be hosted by local families during their stay.

This year's students are from Bunbury Primary School, Bunbury Senior High School, Kingston Primary School, Leschenault Catholic Primary School, Carey Park Primary School, Bunbury Catholic College, St Joseph's Primary School and Australind Senior High School.

In the first of two delegations from Setagaya, 16 students will also be hosted in Bunbury and their stay will include a tour of the Port of Bunbury, as well as participation in Noongar language programs and a visit to the Dolphin Discovery Centre.

Exports to Japan from the Port of Bunbury in the last 12 months include alumina, grain, silica sands and woodchips as well as the import of caustic soda.

In a media release announcing the partnership, City of Bunbury Mayor Jaysen de San Miguel, said the Port of Bunbury is an important economic contributor for the South West and the City has always enjoyed a great relationship with Southern Ports which the new partnership extended.

"We're pleased that through this partnership with Southern Ports, students will have to rely a little less on fundraising efforts and can instead focus on the great benefits of taking part in the exchange,” Mr de San Miguel said.

"This popular exchange program has seen generations of Bunbury families broaden their horizons through our long-term relationship with Setagaya, and we've been able to shine a tremendous spotlight on our own region in return."

In the same statement ports minister Stephen Dawson said the partnership was a fitting one given the state’s ports create economic prosperity for the regions by connecting them to the world, and this partnership between Southern Ports and the City of Bunbury helps connect young minds 7500 kilometres apart.

"The role of WA's regional ports goes beyond trade facilitation - they're important regional partners capable of supporting community growth and opportunities such as those these students will experience," Mr Dawson said.