Coalition Middle East super trade mission announced

The 2013 Super Trade Mission to the Middle East follows the Super Trade Mission to China led by the Premier in September this year with over 400 Victorian companies represented.

The Mission will visit the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, which will focus on opportunities in food, tourism, agribusiness, water, equine, infrastructure, defence, higher education, vocational education and marine industries.

Minister for Agriculture, Food Security and Water Peter Walsh will accompany Minister Asher on the Mission, in recognition of investment and trade opportunities that exist in the agricultural and primary producing sectors.

Ms Asher said, "The Middle East and North African (MENA) market represented one of the largest export destinations for Victoria's goods and services."

"MENA has been identified, as part of the Coalition Governments's International Engagement Strategy, as a priority trade market for Victoria and the region is presenting significant opportunities for Victorian exporters. There is also significant foreign direct investment interest in Victoria across a range of sectors," Ms Asher said.

Ms Asher said, "Victorian Coalition Government, under former Premier Jeff Kennett, opened a Victoria Government Business Office in Dubai in 1997, with the Victorian Government's presence in the region being uninterrupted for over 15 years."

More than 15,000 Australians now live and work in the United Arab Emirates alone and Melbourne enjoys a number of air services linking Victoria with the region from Dubai-based Emirates Airline, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways.

Ms Asher previously led a trade mission to the Middle East in 2012, which resulted in sales of $18 million and projected exports to the region from Victorian companies of up to $235m over the next two-years.

The Super Trade Mission to China in September 2012 was the largest to leave Australia and is projected to generate more than $1bn in exports and more than 1,435 jobs. The Coalition Government is committed to ensuring Victorian companies are helped to increase their export market exposure in a number of regions.