Western Australia Premier's maiden visit to UAE aims at boosting its AED8.4 billion trade relationship

Premier Mark McGowan of Western Australia will be traveling to UAE, the largest trading partner in the GCC and will be meeting senior government officials in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The visit aims to further enhance the AED8.4 billion trade relationship between the two countries. 

“I am pleased to announce the Premier of the largest State in Australia which is also the largest mineral and grain exporter, with three out of four Australian universities in UAE from his State, will be conducting his first visit to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This visit demonstrates the importance of the UAE relationship,” said Pankaj Savara, Commissioner of the Government of Western Australia, Middle East office.

Coinciding with UAE’s Innovation Month, this visit looks to foster the growing importance and culture of innovation in UAE and the global hub for scientific and technological innovation, Western Australia.

“This visit also supports the government trade and investment office based in Dubai and our ongoing activities. The Premier’s engagement with the Dubai and Abu Dhabi governments and major business establishments from the Middle East region will encourage our office’s proactive facilitation of Western Australian education, trade and investment through this region.” Mr Savara further added.

As the closest Australian capital city to the UAE, Perth is serviced by both Emirates and Etihad for tourism, business and cargo. The State accounts for 47.8 per cent of Australia’s exports to the UAE and 74.8 per cent of Australia’s imports from the UAE.

The UAE is also the second largest GCC market for Western Australian agricultural produce, accounting for 27.3 per cent of the GCC market. Carrots, alone, make up $19 million of the total $25 million in vegetables dispatched to the Emirates.

In recent time, Western Australian education has taken center stage with three Western Australian Universities establishing a presence in the UAE. Both Curtin University and Murdoch University have campuses in Dubai offering a variety of programs to meet the education and skills needs of the UAE. Edith Cowan University in partnership with Emirates Group Security runs various diploma programs.

The State’s world-class education stems from a long and proud history of entrepreneurial drive and innovative achievement across many sectors, including mining, construction, professional services, healthcare, manufacturing and agriculture.