WA agriculture trade delegation welcomed in Kuwait
9/1/2004
A Western Australian agriculture and fisheries trade delegation has concluded another successful leg of its Middle East mission.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the Government of Kuwait will pave the way for future trade and investment opportunities.
Kuwait is already one of WA's biggest trading partners with exports growing by 27 per cent last year, reflecting the State's strong marketing presence in the region.
Agriculture Minister Kim Chance is leading the delegation to help build bilateral trade and promote WA agricultural products.
Mr Chance held meetings with a range of senior government and business representatives, culminating in the signing of the MOU with H. E. Sheikh Fahed Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, the Director-General of Public Authorities for Agriculture and Fisheries Resources.
The five-year MOU sets a framework for collaborative research and development in areas such as plant protection, disease control, animal health, land management, anti-desertification and fisheries compliance, management and protection.
Further cooperation in fisheries management will also take place as a result of a separate signing of a protocol agreement between the WA Department of Fisheries and the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR).
Mr Chance said he and Sheikh Fahed shared a desire that the MOU not just be a series of words on paper but a true framework for action starting as soon as possible.
"Similar sentiments were expressed by the KISR board, along with a desire on both sides to eventually broaden the agreement into other areas of agricultural and food research," Mr Chance said.
Mr Chance also met with representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and visited a farm and feedlot housing WA-bred Awassi sheep near the Iraqi border.
"We were met with overwhelming warmth by the Kuwait people who expressed great confidence in WA as a safe provider of food and a genuine desire to increase trade and awareness of our cultures."
Mr Chance said he was particularly impressed by the Kuwaiti Government's desire not just to create increased wealth for WA and themselves, but to help neighbouring countries.
"There is enthusiasm to use our collaborative skills, experience and expertise to tackle the problems of uncontrolled rangelands management and desertification in both our countries and many others around the globe.
"We have the combined capability to help reconstruct Kuwait's degraded rangelands and then, in time, help to tackle the immense problems facing neighbouring countries such as Iraq.
"There is no doubt that this is a major task, but it is only as big as our vision allows it to be.
"With the will - and major investment of time and money by public and private sectors - countries such as Australia and Kuwait can help to change the face of the globe."
The delegation is in the region for three weeks visiting the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan, Syria and Egypt.
Minister's office: 9213 6700