MEDIA STATEMENT: 7 APRIL 2010
Government of Western Australia | Department of the Premier and Cabinet | Minister for Agriculture and Food
Singapore visit to discuss agricultural trade
Western Australia's Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman is visiting Singapore to discuss future trade opportunities with the nation responsible last financial year for importing A$130million of Western Australian (WA) agriculture and fisheries’ products.
During his visit, the Minister will meet with senior government and business leaders, and attend a supermarket promotion of premium WA products.
Singapore is the State’s 11th biggest export market and Mr Redman said WA was well placed to satisfy Singaporean demand for safe, quality food.
“Singapore and its re-export markets are one of the best markets for WA products,” he said.
“Food security is of high importance to the country, which imports 90 per cent of its food products.
“WA has both a logistical and a production advantage to provide the Singaporean market with quality fresh and processed food such as meat, fruit and vegetables, dairy products, seafood and wine.”
WA already supplies Singapore with 60 per cent of its fresh pork requirements and the country is currently WA’s biggest horticulture export market.
The Minister will also visit an in-store promotion of premium WA agriculture and food products at supermarket chain NTUC FairPrice’s premium store.
“FairPrice Finest is the supermarket’s upmarket store, which retails high-quality and gourmet food,” he said.
“I am looking forward to seeing how our premium products such as meat, spices, beverage and fresh produce are presented, and talking to company representatives about their relationship with WA and our ability to supply quality agriculture products.”
During his South East Asian trade mission, Mr Redman is also visiting Malaysia and Indonesia, meeting with representatives from government and the private sector, to discuss further trade relationships and opportunities for WA agriculture.
Media contact: Jodie Thomson - +61 8 9213 6700 or +61 427 423 283