Asian Engagement Minister Peter Tinley has reaffirmed Western Australia's longstanding relationship with Indonesia at the Australia Indonesia Business Council WA Business Breakfast.
Attended by Indonesia's Ambassador to Australia, Pak Kristiarto Legowo, the event was a welcomed opportunity to strengthen economic and cultural ties while Australia's borders remain closed.
Following the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement coming into force in July 2020, opportunities have increased for Western Australian agrifood industries, such as beef and grain, to export to Indonesia. The agreement has also presented opportunities for other local sectors including mining and mining equipment, technology and services, education and training, agribusiness and food.
With a population of 273 million, Indonesia is the largest economy in South East Asia and is forecast to be the world's fourth largest economy by 2050.
Demand from Indonesia's rapidly growing middle class offers a significant opportunity for Western Australian exporters of high-quality produce and professional services.
In 2019-20, Western Australia accounted for 38 per cent of Australia's exports to Indonesia, exporting $2.2 billion worth of goods, above the annual average of $1.8 billion over the past 10 years.
A sister-state relationship between Western Australia and East Java was established in August 1990, and exchanges have taken place in areas including education and training, government administration, health and welfare, sport and culture, and agriculture.
Strengthening ties with Indonesia is a key component of Western Australia's Asian Engagement Strategy 2019-2030: Our future with Asia.
As stated by Asian Engagement Minister Peter Tinley:
"It is great to be able to welcome Ambassador Legowo to Western Australia and reaffirm our relationship with Indonesia and particularly our sister-state relationship with East Java.
"WA trade supports thousands of WA jobs. There is immense potential for WA to increase our trade relationship with Indonesia in areas such as international education and training, energy, primary industries, mining, technology and advanced manufacturing, defence and in the future, tourism."
