Western Australia needs highly educated, talented and skilled people from Kerala to come and work in Australia, according to Grant Woodhams, Speaker of the state.
At an interactive session organised for Parliamentary delegates from Western Australia by the Kerala Chamber Of Commerce and Industry here on Saturday, Mr. Woodhams said that with a population of only 2.3 million people, the state had significant labour and skills shortages, leading to recent efforts by the Western Australian government to encourage interstate and overseas migration.
Western Australia offers world class infrastructure and a promising economic outlook, he said.
Mr. Woodhams who is also the MLA for Moore, leads the five-member team of Western Australian Parliamentary delegation which is in Kerala to see and discuss the possibilities of opening up new areas of trade and developmental projects between the two countries and create strong business relations.
Western Australia's economy is largely driven by extraction and processing of a diverse range of mineral and petroleum commodities, Mr. Woodhams said.
Mr. Woodhams added that there are also many other areas like agriculture, fishing, fishing processes and deep sea resources in which Kerala could be interested.
Education
“Another key area of exchange can be in the educational sector where Western Australia is world class and is reflected by the fact that it is our second largest export,” said the Speaker. Tourism can be another common sector which has tremendous scope especially due to geographical location and climatic conditions, the Speaker said.
Indian coffee and tea is well appreciated in Australia, he said. “India needs to be very aggressive in these markets,” remarked Mr. Woodhams. “Indian food is the best food in the world and there are lots of people who appreciate Indian food. India needs to look into the prospect of starting new hotels in Australia,” he added.
Mr. David Holly, Australian Consul-General for South India in his address, thanked KCCI for arranging a venue for interaction which is a part of strategic working partnership between the two countries.
Other delegates who are visiting the State are are: Janine Freeman, MLA for Nollamara, Labor Party; Anthony (Tony) Simpson, MLA for Darling Range, Liberal Party; Andrew Waddell, MLA for Forrestfield, Labor Party; Peter Forby, Regional Director, Western Australia Trade office, India and Kirsten Robinson, Deputy Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia.
Earlier, K N Marzook, chairman, KCCI, welcomed the delegates. K.Vargheese Thomas and Savio Mathew also spoke.
