Despite simmering tensions with Malaysia at a national level, the state government has announced a new agri-food trade arrangement with the South East Asian heavyweight.
Despite simmering tensions with Malaysia at a national level, the state government has announced a new agri-food trade arrangement with the South East Asian heavyweight.
State agriculture minister Kim Chance he and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Malaysian minister for agriculture and agro-based industry had signed the MOU, which aims to enhance co-operation in the $200 million annual trade in food and agriculture between the two regions.
The deal comes at a time when Malaysia is widely perceived as an opponent to Australian attempts to play a bigger part in the region, including blocking Canberra's aim to have a founding role in a proposed East Asian Community bloc.
Below is the state government's full announcement:
Western Australia and Malaysia are forming an alliance to further develop a relationship which produces more than $200million of trade in agri-food products a year.
Agriculture Minister Kim Chance today announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Malaysian Government that would establish even closer ties with a valuable trading partner.
On December 9 the Hon Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Malaysian Minister for Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry and Mr Chance signed the MOU, which aims to enhance co-operation in the food and agriculture sector.
"This MOU provides a platform for co-operation, particularly in the development of meat and livestock industries, horticulture post-harvesting technologies, including training, exchange of expertise and trade among the industries," Mr Chance said.
The two Ministers also established a joint working group of representatives of the Malaysian Ministry of Agriculture and Agro Based Industry and the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, which will identify major projects of mutual interest and will outline an action plan of activities.
"This will be a relationship which will give benefits to both parties and we look forward to closer ties with Malaysia," Mr Chance said.
The MOU will create new avenues for co-operation in service exchange that could provide benefits to both parties in the development of new technologies and new products, improved access to domestic markets and also provide opportunities for joint exports to Middle East countries.
Trade between WA and Malaysia is significant. Malaysia buys about $200million of wheat, livestock, meat, dairy and horticulture products from this State.
Australia imports processed food in excess of $200million from Malaysia, of which a significant part is consumed in WA including palm oil, copra, processed food and seafood.
"The Gallop Government is providing new jobs and opportunities for Western Australians," Mr Chance said.
