SYDNEY, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Western Australia's trade and investment office in Indonesia marks its 25th anniversary this week as last year's exports rose nearly 15 percent.
"Indonesia is Western Australia's closest neighbour and we were one of the first Australian states to open an office there to further our cultural and economic relationship," Western Australia Asian Engagement Minister Bill Johnston said in a statement obtained by Xinhua.
Established in 1992 under Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating, the office was originally located in the city of Surabaya, but in 2003 the facility moved to Indonesia's capital.
Since then, the Jakarta office has grown to oversee the state's broader relationship with Indonesia and in 2015 dedicated agriculture and tourism officers were brought in to expand the operation.
"Indonesia is the state's largest wheat export market, accounting for 28 percent of our total wheat exports, with petroleum another key export commodity," Johnston said.
"There is plenty of scope for growth in our trade relationship, particularly in areas like international education, tourism, mining and petroleum technology and services, and agriculture."
During 2015-2016, Western Australian exports to Indonesia grossed 1.9 billion Australian dollars (1.4 billion U.S. dollars).
"The Western Australian trade and investment office in Jakarta will continue to play a vital role in the ongoing development of our relationship with Indonesia," Johnston said. (1 Australian dollar = 0.76 U.S. dollar)
