Western Australian Premier Roger Cook is travelling to Indonesia and Singapore to deepen strategic and economic ties and reaffirm the state’s important role in supporting the energy transition and decarbonisation of the ASEAN region.
While in Indonesia, the Premier will engage in strategic talks with the East Java Provincial Government, Indonesia Australia Business Council East Java Chapter, and the Australian Consul-General in Surabaya.
This year, the Western Australia East Java sister-state relationship is celebrating 35 years of collaboration and cooperation.
Premier Cook, who travels to the country following a visit from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, says Indonesia and Singapore are crucial trading partners for WA – “that’s why I’m prioritising this important region for my first overseas mission since the state election”.
“In 2025, we celebrate the 35th year of the sister-state relationship with East Java which continues to provide such a beneficial and fulfilling agreement for both sides,” Cook says.
“The ASEAN region is a major export market for WA, with a variety of sectors including minerals, energy and agriculture, it is also a vital region for the continued economic diversification of the state.”
Cook will spend two days in Surabaya before flying to Singapore. In Singapore, he will participate in a roundtable discussion with the government, businesses, and investors to discuss energy transition and decarbonisation, and related opportunities.
Singapore is currently Western Australia’s fourth largest trade partner, with a total trade value of $14 billion. More than 40% of Australia’s total trade with Singapore is with Western Australia.
Key export markets include petroleum oils and minerals, gas, gold, and meat.
Indonesia is Western Australia’s ninth largest trading partner, with a total trade value of about $6.8 billion. Almost a third of Australia’s total trade with Indonesia is with Western Australia.
Key export markets include iron ore, petroleum oils and minerals, and wheat.
In March, Mining.com.au reported that the largest ever Australian outbound investment mission by delegates earlier this year visited Indonesia to explore opportunities in the region’s biggest economy.
The mission was led by Australia’s Business Champion for Indonesia and Chancellor of Western Sydney University Professor Jennifer Westacott and centred on strengthening the Australia-Indonesia bilateral relationship and finding investment opportunities.
Delegates uncovered opportunities for investment and are actively growing a pipeline that the Southeast Asia Investment Deal Terms are developing and progressing.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: Stock & Austmine
