9/11/00
A Western Australian food and wine promotion in Europe, which has been awarded the 2000 Premier’s Award for Excellence, is estimated to have already earned $1.5 million in export sales, Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan said today.
Fifty-four food and beverage producers exhibited their goods at Britain’s Selfridges stores last year in a world first organised by the Department of Commerce and Trade and the WA Government’s European Office.
Mr Cowan said today that following the promotion, which was labelled ‘Land of Plenty’, the Selfridges company was reordering significant quantities of rock lobsters, reef fish, lamb, New Norcia nutcake, honey and 39 different wines.
“Clearly, Western Australian producers have established a foothold in a potentially lucrative market,” he said.
“Other European retailers will take their lead from Selfridges, which now rates as Britain’s premier food retailer.”
The promotion scored an award for public sector innovation, as well as taking out the overall Premier’s prize in the annual public sector awards.
Mr Cowan acknowledged the contribution of other WA Government agencies in the project, including Fisheries Western Australia, AGWEST Trade and Development, and the Western Australian Tourism Commission.
“When Government agencies pull together like this, it shows what economic benefits can be achieved for our State,” he said.
Commerce and Trade’s cross-government website, OnlineWA, which delivers Government services online, was highly commended in the customer focus award category. The successful service was entered jointly with Contract and Management Services.
Mr Cowan said the Department of Commerce and Trade had performed a very effective role in assisting and encouraging WA businesses since it was created by the Coalition Government in 1993.
“For a relatively new department, Commerce and Trade has developed a clear focus and strong framework of support for WA industry, particularly in terms of encouraging our companies to tackle overseas markets,” he said.
“WA has demonstrated that it is willing and able to tackle the world and this is confirmed by our status as the nation’s leading export State.”
Media contacts: Peter Jackson (Minister’s office) 9222-9595
David Brewtnall (Dept Commerce and Trade) 9327-5666
