Premier Mark McGowan led an Invest and Trade Western Australia mission to Japan and Korea in early 2023 to strengthen Western Australia’s strategic partnerships in the region.

It was an opportunity to showcase Western Australia’s capabilities, particularly in the renewable energy and critical minerals sectors.

Four agreements were signed in North East Asia, with a focus on hydrogen, ammonia, low emission technology and decarbonisation.

In Tokyo, the Premier and Nobumitsu Hayashi, the Governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The agreement supports cooperation to develop new energy industries, and is expected to lead to greater financial investments by JBIC in new energy projects in Western Australia.

In Kobe, the Premier and Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito signed a sister-state joint statement on collaboration between the two regions for economic development.

The Premier also witnessed the signing of an MoU between the Pilbara Ports Authority and Himeji Port to cooperate on renewable energy and net zero carbon emission initiatives.

In Seoul, the Premier signed a Letter of Intent with the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), on behalf of the Western Australian Government.

Co-signed by the Minister of MOTIE, the Hon Changyang Lee, the arrangement supports exploring collaboration, research and information sharing on energy and resources to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes.

The agreements align with the WA Government’s net zero emissions goals, WA Climate Change Policy and Diversify WA framework.

The mission was the Premier’s second official visit to Japan and Korea, reaffirming Western Australia’s long-standing relationships with two key trading partners.

If you are a Western Australian business interested in further information regarding opportunities in North East Asia, please contact Invest and Trade Western Australia via investandtrade@jtsi.wa.gov.au.

Published on: 15 February 2023