Western Australian companies would be encouraged to add value to their products and develop export markets under a Labor Government, Premier Carmen Lawrence said today.
Dr Lawrence today officially handed over to Japanese buyers a $3 million rail flaw detection vehicle built in Western Australia.
The Premier said the internationally advanced rail flaw detection vehicle built by the company GEMCO reflected the high level of technology skill and international competitiveness of Western Australian industry.
"The work being undertaken by GEMCO is another fine example of the initiatives contained in the Government's `Adding Value' plan to transform the State's economy and enabling WA to confidently take its place in the wider international community," she said.
"Western Australians are resourceful, educated and highly skilled and our workforce is one of our greatest economic advantages.
"We need to build on this advantage and that can be done through encouraging increased productivity through a co-operative approach by management and workers.
"We must avoid at all costs the outmoded, divisive and confrontationist industrial relations policies proposed by the Opposition."
Dr Lawrence said GEMCO was an example of what could be achieved in terms of growth and export sales despite a tough economic climate.
GEMCO's 15-metre, 45-tonne rail flaw detection vehicle was designed and manufactured in WA to meet stringent quality and performance specifications for operations on rail works internationally.
"This handover shows the side to the WA economy that my Government wholeheartedly supports - an emerging, competitive and export-oriented manufacturing sector which is adding value to the State and will contribute more in years to come," Dr Lawrence said.
