Director Trade Development: Mr Simon Johnson simon.johnson@agric.wa.gov.au
The Department of Agriculture and Food WA Trade and Market Services Directorate is responsible for enhancing exports and investment into the Western Australian agri-food industry. Trade and Market Services' strategic objective is to facilitate the development of a competitive and innovative Western Australian agri-food industry that returns increased economic and social benefits to Western Australia.
Activities and services provided by the Trade and Market Services team include:
- Facilitate the development of an internationally competitive, export oriented and integrated agri-food industry.
- Develop and implement a whole of government policy for the WA agri-food industry
- Investment attraction and coordination of industry development activities in the agri-food industry across all State and Federal government departments and other industry stakeholders.
- Encourage investment in R&D and innovative technologies in food processing, packaging and handling.
- Identify and monitor trade, market, investments, commercialisation and research development opportunities and provide an information service to Government and Industry.
- Facilitate the up-take of innovation within the agri-food industry.
- Develop and promote markets for commercial services, knowledge, technologies and industry related R&D and education from the agri-food sector.
The activities of the Directorate are undertaken in collaboration with various stakeholders including State and Commonwealth Agencies, industry organisations and private companies.
The Directorate maintains the following functional units with the listed responsibilities:
1) Industry and Trade Units
a) To support government policy development, industry strategies and industry and market development.
b) To research and provide relevant market and industry information to Government and industry stakeholders.
c) To facilitate strategic alliances with retailers and food service sector companies in major markets.
d) Promote the WA agri-food industry internationally.
2) Investment Opportunities
a) To identify and evaluate opportunities for investment in agri-industry enterprises.
b) To develop sustainably competitive investment attraction opportunities and promote and facilitate the implementation of these opportunities at industry, enterprise and market level.
c) To facilitate the development of cooperation between businesses.
d) To identify and evaluate opportunities and threats to agri-industry exports
3) Commercialisation and Business Development
a) AGWEST International unit: market the consultancy capability of the Department, and industry collaborators, attract and manage international projects.
b) Commercialisation/Innovation unit: manage the commercialisation of new varieties and products.
c) Assist industry in the up-take and commercialisation of innovation.