The Western Australian Government will double its spending to more than $100 million a year to support research and development.
Premier Carmen Lawrence said an increased commitment over the next four years to promote research excellence was essential to achieve further downstream processing and manufacturing of our raw materials.
Dr Lawrence said the Government must ensure priority is given to research to develop Western Australian ideas.
"A strong research and development base in WA is our best guarantee that we can compete internationally with a more diversified range of products and services," the Premier said.
"My `Adding Value' plan will produce a better climate in which WA can confidently take its place in the wider international community.
"We must build on WA's growth in manufacturing exports over the next decade."
Under the `Adding Value' plan, the Lawrence Government would double funds for Asian trade promotion and remove any regulatory barriers to expanding trade into Asia.
"WA is already Australia's most successful exporting State and Asia is our biggest market," Dr Lawrence said.
"The Asian region will account for more than half of the world's gross domestic product within 50 years.
"Our economic future depends on our ability to grow with Asia."
