Western Australia to open office in Dubai

The Government of Western Australia has recently decided to open a new trade investment office in Dubai next October, announced the Hon Dr. Geoff Gallop MLA, Premier of Western Australia.

Gallop yesterday welcomed the arrival of Emirates inaugural flight at Perth International Airport with a delegation led by Gaith Al Gaith, commercial operations director.

The Government of Western Australia is also carrying out a plan to attract more UAE/Middle East students to the state and to open more branches of several Australian universities in Dubai, he added.

He also expected more than 1,000 Arab visitors to arrive weekly in Perth aboard the Boeing 777-200 aircraft that will operate four times a week, said Gallop.

"The new service is very important for Perth to lure more visitors and tourists from the Gulf. It will also help open new markets, enhance Western Australia's economy and encourage students from the Middle East to study at Perth universities and educational institutions.

"The State Government had committed A$ 1.65 million over three years to support the new Dubai-Perth route, which had the potential to generate A$ 47 million a year through tourism to the Western Australia."

Meanwhile, Al Gaith said, "Emirates is confident the new service will boost leisure travel and trade ties between the Gulf and Western Australia, and provide improved access between Perth and key European destinations."

The new service, he pointed out, will also open doors for exchange of culture between the two countries and will encourage more passengers from Western Australia to interact with the UAE and promote their state.

"Emirates has recruited around 100 Australian aircraft captains and more than 250 crew. The new service will benefit passengers in three regions - the Middle East, Australia and Europe," said Al Ghaith.

Gallop, meanwhile, assured that the new direct flight will provide a major boost to tourism and international trade.

"Air access is the key to developing international trade and tourism opportunities and we are delighted that Western Australia has been chosen as one of the destinations included in Emirates direct international services from Dubai."

"The introduction of the new Emirates service is part of our plan to bring more visitors to the State and develop Perth as a major international air tourism and transport hub.

" The new service will establish and improve a new link between the local market and those of Dubai and other markets in the Middle East and Europe," he stressed.

" It also provides an opportunity to promote Western Australia's products among the people of Dubai and travellers of Emirates' European network."

Gallop, however, highlighted the role that Westralia Airports Corporation played in convincing Emirates to add Perth and Western Australia to its growing global network.