Sister State Relationships

Western Australia (WA) was one of the first Australian states to establish a presence in Indonesia, with the opening of an office in Surabaya in 1992.  The office is now located in Jakarta.

This was preceded by the State of WA and the Province of East Java formally signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), establishing a Sister State Relationship in August 1990.

The MoU, for five-year periods, seeks to provide a framework for the development of long-term commercial and cultural linkages. It aims to facilitate cooperation in:

• Economic development, commerce, industry and tourism
• Science, technology and administration
• Education, culture, manpower, social welfare, youth and sports.

The MoU provides an umbrella for the WA - East Java Exchange Program that seeks to identify specific projects that can be developed on a collaborative, commercial basis for industry and the service sectors.

The relationship has been recently reinvigorated and in September 2007 the Governor of East Java, Imam Utomo, visited Perth to witness the signing of a five year extension to the Sister State Relationship. 

The WA Premier Alan Carpenter repaid the Governor with a visit to East Java in December 2007 to witness the signing of a MoU between Perth Company Offshore Staff Solutions and the East Java Department of Manpower.  The MoU will assist with the provision of 457 visas to East Javanese to help address skills shortages in WA. 

Other cultural exchanges have included high level visits by East Javanese parliamentarians from 2006-2008.  The parliamentarians are provided customised training in subjects including governance and taxation.  Additionally, each year, as part of the Sister State Relationship, the East Java Government provides funding for three to five people to spend a week in Perth.  The candidates selected are students from Islamic schools who have demonstrated leadership qualities, but not travelled overseas. In 2007 students visited Harvey Agricultural College to observe and participate in classes.

For more information on the Sister State Relationship between WA and East Java contact the Manager, Market Development, South East Asia.

About East Java

East Java is one of 30 provinces in the Republic of Indonesia. It is headed by the Governor and has 38 sub-provincial regions (known as kabupatens and kotas), within its administrative boundaries.

The major sectors of the East Java economy are agriculture, commerce and other services, industry and transportation and communication.

The important agricultural products are rice, sugar, coffee, tobacco, rubber and seafood. Major manufacturing industries are cigarettes, plywood, textiles, refined sugar, fertiliser, steel, paper, wooden furniture and shipbuilding.

East Java produces about 35 per cent of the national food supply mainly including rice and sugar. The province's main export commodities include furniture, handicraft goods, plastic articles, paper, garments, shoes and others.

Major investors registered officially with the East Java Investment Coordinating Board are from the UK, Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, USA, Netherlands, Taiwan and Malaysia.

East Java has a tropical climate with October to April being the wet season, and May to September being the dry season. The temperature ranges between 20-30 degrees celsius.

For more information about East Java visit (links open in a new window):

East Java Economy
Australian Embassy Indonesia
East Java

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Since its establishment in 1981 the Sister State Relationship between Hyogo Prefecture and the State of Western Australia (WA) has established strong goodwill through the implementation of a number of joint cultural and relationship building activities.

The WA Government has maintained an office in Kobe, capital of Hyogo Prefecture since 1989.

In 1992, the Hyogo Government established the Hyogo Prefectural Government Cultural Centre in Perth to develop cultural exchanges and education programs.

In 2001, a Memorandum of Understanding marked the 20th anniversary of the relationship and introduced a mutual commitment to further develop economic ties by focussing on the following areas:

• Aged care and health care services
• Biotechnology
• Business facilitation, enabling small and medium enterprises to access business and investment opportunities
• Environmental management
• Information and communication technology
• Science and technology collaboration.

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sister State Agreement, the Governor of Hyogo Prefecture, His Excellency Mr Toshizo Ido, led a delegation of Hyogo parliamentarians, business people and citizens to WA in 2006.

During the official ceremony at Government House, Governor Ido and Premier Carpenter signed a new joint statement to further strengthen ties between the two regions through cooperation in the following areas: 

• Enhancement and development of mutual exchange in economic, cultural and other fields, and in resolving global issues such as disaster prevention and the environment
• Implementing direct flights between Kansai International Airport and Perth International Airport to further increase the opportunities for exchange through mutual visits and to promote two-way tourism
• Enhancement of exchange in educational and academic fields, including the hosting of exchange students from both regions and inter-university affiliation and cooperation to promote mutual development.

For more information on the Sister State relationship between Western Australia and Hyogo contact the Manger, Market Development, Japan/South Korea.

Sister State Relationship Activities

2007

Two Hyogo citizens were awarded post graduate scholarships to study English language and a one year post graduate course at a WA University. Mr Masa Ogawa is studying for a Graduate Diploma in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Western Australia and Ms Megumi Hibino is undertaking a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management at Murdoch University.

• WA's Deputy Premier visited Japan, including Hyogo (October 2007)
• Hyogo Prefecture created a beautiful Japanese garden display using WA plants with assistance from Kings Park staff for the 2007 Kings Park Festival (August 2007)
• The Vice Governor of Hyogo Prefecture travelled to Perth to commemorate Hyogo's participation in the Kings Park Festival (August 2007).

2006

2006 marked the 25th anniversary of the Western Australia-Hyogo Sister State Agreement. Major activities for the year include:

• WA's Premier led a mission to Japan, including Hyogo (29 June - 4 July)
• Twenty WA university students travelled to Kobe for a one week study program prior to joining the Hyogo Joint Summer Session at Sea (Hyogo Floating University) on its 14th voyage to WA (5 - 29 August)
• Japan was the Guest Nation at the 2006 Perth Royal Show. Hyogo Prefecture showcased the region and its products with a booth in the pavilion (30 September - 7 October)
• Hyogo Piccolo Theatre Group’s two performances of “The Hatters Tea Party” was a gift from Hyogo to WA (14-15 October)
• Hyogo Governor, His Excellency Mr Toshizo Ido, led a delegation to WA to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Hyogo-Western Australia  Sister State Agreement (4-7 November)
• Governor Ido and the Department of Industry and Resources co-hosted the Hyogo Business Seminar at the Hyatt Regency to promote Hyogo Prefecture to WA companies. (6 November)
• Governor Ido and Premier Carpenter signed a new joint statement outlining future goals of the Sister State Relationship at a ceremony at Government House (6 November)
• WA provided a gift of two one-year postgraduate scholarships for students from Hyogo Prefecture to study at Murdoch University and The University of Western Australia in 2007/2008.

About Hyogo

Hyogo is located in the Kansai region, Japan's geographical centre. Over 90% of Hyogo Prefecture's population live in the urban areas of Kobe, Hanshin and Harima. Industries such as steel, shipbuilding and machinery are also located in these areas. The areas of Tajima, Tamba and Awaji are the location for agricultural, forestry and fishing indstries.

Southern Hyogo Prefecture was severely devastated by the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995 that destroyed major parts of Kobe, Awaji, Takarazuka and the neighbouring Osaka Prefecture.  Close to 5,500 people lost their lives.

Hyogo is rich in traditional and contemporary culture and natural beauty and is home to a highly modernised society and business market.

In summer the weather throughout Hyogo is hot and humid and during winter the north side experiences continual snow, while the south side receives some snow.

The Hyogo Business and Cultural Centre - Your Gateway to Japan website provides an outline of the prefecture, including geographical location, major industry interests, and Hyogo Prefecture as a market. It also provides useful links to other Hyogo and Japan related resources.

The official Hyogo Prefectural Government website provides a prefectural profile, tourist information and much more in Japanese.

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A Sister State Relationship was established between the State of Western Australia (WA) and the Regional Government of Tuscany in 1999.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) forges a unique partnership between the two regions, underpinned by extensive and longstanding historic, cultural and familial ties that connect WA with Tuscany and Italy.

At a ceremony in 2004 the Premier of WA and the President of Tuscany re-signed the MOU and planning is now underway to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Sister State Relationship in 2009.

Under the MOU both parties agreed to pursue mutual benefits on a multi-sectoral basis, with a particular focus on opportunities identified in knowledge and education, science and technologies, business and industry compatibilities, and culture and the arts. Areas of interest emerging from the relationship include:

• Biotechnology and life sciences
• Culture, arts and crafts
• Education and training
• Energy security and efficiencies
• Fishing and aquaculture research
• Flora and fauna research
• Furniture and furnishings
• Gold and jewellery
• Marine industry development    
• Olive and olive oil processing  
• Textiles, fashion and wool
• Tourism (cultural, heritage-based and eco-tourism)  
• Venture capital market development
• Wine and gourmet foods.

The Department of Industry and Resources (DoIR) manages the Sister State Relationship and regular initiatives have included industry missions (olives, furniture, agribusiness and education), cultural exchanges and Parliamentary visits. Tuscany was Guest Nation at the 2004 Royal Agricultural Show in Perth and in 2005 DoIR coordinated WA's participation at Florence’s prestigious International Arts Fair.

For more information about the Sister State relationship please contact the Manager, Market Development, Europe

About Tuscany

Tuscany is one of twenty administrative regions of Italy covering 22,990 km², with a population of 3.6 million and has its capital in Florence.

Tuscany’s agricultural reputation is based on wine, olive oil, livestock and gourmet foods. Industry is represented by vehicle and airplane production, luxury vessel design and production, textiles and fashion, jewellery and handcrafts, marble and stone, petrochemicals and steel. Tourism is the economic mainstay of both the "Cities of Art" (Florence, Lucca, Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano) and the Tuscan coast. Six Tuscan places are World Heritage listed.

For more information about Tuscany visit (links open in a new window):

Tuscany Regional Government Home Page [in Italian language only]

Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Perth (Inc)

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Zhejiang Province is Western Australia’s (WA) window to opportunities in China. It is a major destination of WA wool, barley, canola and iron ore exports. 

Both the Zhejiang and Western Australian Governments have worked closely together since the establishment of the Sister State Relationship in 1987. 

This relationship has been enhanced through the exchange of goods and services, cultural events, educational and research links as well as investments.  The relationship was further enhanced by the visit of Chinese President, Mr Hu Jintao in September 2007. 

Over the next twenty years, both governments will focus to strengthen their economic ties to include further areas in education and research, the marine sector, health and medicine, building and construction services and environmental management.

Established in 1995, the Western Australia-Zhejiang Economic Exchange Committee promotes economic exchanges between the two regions. The Committee was reconstituted in 2004 and renamed the Western Australia-Zhejiang Exchange Committee to broaden the membership and scope. 

Through the Committee, WA and Zhejiang look to expand cooperation in resources, work safety, cultural and education/training sectors. They also develop exchanges in areas such as media, tourism, agriculture and agribusiness, environmental services, information technology, biotechnology, scientific research, health care, sports and recreation, land administration and regional development. 

The last Committee meeting was held in November 2007 in Western Australia and the Committee will meet again in Hangzhou in 2009.

The 20th anniversary of the Sister State Relationship with Zhejiang was celebrated in 2007. WA Premier, Alan Carpenter attended a range of events to celebrate the anniversary including the Ningbo Investment and Trade Symposium, the official opening of Ningbo Iron and Steel Mill, the Australia-China Bio-therapeutic Summit and the 2007 Zhejiang English Language Competition Award Ceremony.

Excellent opportunities exist for WA companies to utilise the Sister State Relationship to leverage greater commercial opportunities with Zhejiang and, through this relationship, with China as a whole.

WA organisations are encouraged to use the WA Trade Offices in Hangzhou and Shanghai to pursue business opportunities in the Zhejiang and China markets.

For more information about the Sister State Relationship between Western Australia and Zhejiang contact the Manager, Market Development, Greater China.

About Zhejiang

Zhejiang is an eastern coastal province of China and the word Zhejiang (crooked river) was the old name of the Qiantang River, which passes through Hangzhou, the capital.

In area, WA is 25 times larger than Zhejiang, however Zhejiang has 25 times the population of WA.

Zhejiang’s port is a major recipient of WA’s wool, barley, canola and iron ore. 

It is one of the most developed provinces in China and has the highest per capita GDP among all the provinces in China.  Zhejiang also has an active and successful private small to medium sized business sector.

Over the last twenty years, the close ties between the WA and Zhejiang Governments have generated mutual benefits through the exchange of goods and services, cultural events, educational and research links and investment opportunities.

In 2007, Fortune China’s “Best Cities for Business” Study rated Hangzhou and Ningbo among the top ten best cities for business in China.

Further information about Zhejiang (link opens in a new window)

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