Premier puts WA produce on Singapore's menu

Sunday, 11 December 2016
 
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• Western Australia Worth Sharing to launch internationally in Singapore
• Premier's visit to also focus on financial services, innovation and higher education 

Premier Colin Barnett is heading to Singapore to announce the international launch of the State's new, export-focused agrifoods brand - Western Australia Worth Sharing.

Mr Barnett said Singapore was one of Western Australia's leading export markets, with exports valued at $2.3 billion in 2015-16.

"Western Australia and Singapore share a special and longstanding relationship, which is the reason we chose Singapore as the ideal location to launch our new agrifood brand internationally," he said.

"This will be my fifth official visit to Singapore since becoming Premier, and I look forward to building on the strong foundations we have across the Singaporean economy."

During his visit, the Premier will also meet with representatives from the Singapore Government and undertake a series of meetings focusing on opportunities in financial services, innovation and higher education.

State Development Minister Bill Marmion said since Western Australia Worth Sharing launched domestically in mid-October this year, more than 35 Western Australian agrifood exporters had signed up, taking the total number of companies involved in the branding to more than 60.

"Demonstrating how invested these companies are in Western Australia Worth Sharing, 21 companies will be sending representatives to Singapore to take part in the launch event," Mr Marmion said.

"Our website, which features producers showcasing their premium products, has already received almost 30,000 hits since it launched two months ago."

The brand has been made possible by the Liberal National Government's Royalties for Regions program through the $350 million Seizing the Opportunity Agriculture initiative.

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the State Government was committed to harnessing international trade opportunities to diversify the economy through the expansion of WA's agrifood sector.

"Western Australia Worth Sharing showcases our State as a reliable source of premium and safe agrifood products," Mr Redman said.

"Our agrifood sector is integral to the sustainability of our regional communities and this new branding will enable the sector to become more prominent, prosperous and resilient."

Fact File

• Two-way trade between Western Australia and Singapore was valued at $4.2 billion in 2015-16.  Our top export products included gold, petroleum and nickel
• WA's Trade and Investment Office in Singapore opened in 2012.  A dedicated food and agriculture specialist was appointed in 2016
• Television commercials and an information video will be aired in Singapore
• Western Australia Worth Sharing was launched domestically in mid-October 2016 and since then, the number of companies involved has more than doubled
• Visit http://www.waworthsharing.com.au to find out more information