THE WESTERN Australian premier has embarked on a trade mission to Indonesia while the state’s training minister gears up for a green energy mission to the UK.
Premier Roger Cook travelled to Jakarta to promote trade with WA and encourage businesses to engage in investment.
More than 130 WA delegates gathered in Jakarta, including agriculture minister Jackie Jarvis, minister for culture and the arts David Templeman and minister for energy and hydrogen industry Bill Johnston.
The trade mission began with ASEAN Business and Investment Summit and an energy roundtable with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The roundtable focused on developing critical minerals and battery industry supply chains in WA and Indonesia. It followed a critical minerals action plan that was signed during Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s visit to Sydney in July.
Mr Cook said Indonesia is one of WA’s closest and most valued neighbours.
“This historic trade mission to Indonesia – my first overseas mission as premier – will play a central role in Western Australia’s future and specifically our plans to diversify our economy,” he said.
“Indonesia is a recognised and trusted partner and that is why it is vital we explore new ways to deepen our relationship – one that delivers investment opportunities and local jobs for Western Australians.”
WA exported $3.8 billion of goods to Indonesia in 2022. The state accounted for a quarter of Australia’s total trade in goods with Indonesia that year.
WA also accounted for 30% of Australia’s goods exports to Indonesia last year. The state’s petroleum exports to Indonesia rose 16% to $1.2 billion in 2022.
And WA training minister Simone McGurk is to lead a delegation to the UK to promote green energy initiatives and projects.
Her mission will focus on exchanging knowledge and ideas around renewable energy, and how WA and the UK can collaborate to develop the workforce needed to underpin these opportunities.
A cornerstone engagement for the mission is the SPE Offshore Europe exhibition being held in Aberdeen, Scotland.
The 2023 exhibition will focus on driving the oil and gas sector forward into a green energy future.
Ms McGurk will give a series of presentations about how WA is laying the foundations to become a global clean energy powerhouse.
“This mission is a fantastic opportunity to showcase WA as a premier destination when it comes to the renewable energy sector and all it has to offer,” Ms McGurk said.
“The workforce partnership between our two countries has always been strong, with the UK making up WA’s largest migrant population.
“I’m looking forward to meeting with leaders and experts in the United Kingdom and using the knowledge gained there to help develop the skills and workforce for our green energy future.”
Other engagements on Ms McGurk’s agenda include a meeting with the Nuclear Skills Task Force in London and the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition.
