The foundation for a successful South Australian trade mission to South East Asia later this year has been set following Minister for Investment and Trade Martin Hamilton-Smith’s recent trip to Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

The week-long trip provided Mr Hamilton-Smith the opportunity to establish relationships with a number of key Singaporean, Malaysian and Thai government officials and other key in-market champions.

This relationship building holds particular weight given that Premier Jay Weatherill will lead a trade mission to the region in August.

Mr Hamilton-Smith’s visit and the impending trade mission come off the back of the South Australia-South East Asia Engagement Strategy, launched earlier this year.

“It’s clear that the development of our South East Asia Engagement Strategy is especially timely for South Australia. The region is teeming with opportunities for our businesses, education and research institutions, as well as cultural organisations,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

Mr Hamilton-Smith met with the Crown Prince of Thailand, whom he trained alongside at the Royal Military College of Duntroon, and Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry.

He also attended a business forum in Bangkok with members of the Australia Malaysia Business Council and met with key industry figures in all three countries.

“South Australia shares historical links with Malaysia, including Adelaide’s sister-city relationship with George Town, Penang. Working with the Australia Malaysia Business Council plays a critical role in establishing business relationships that foster trade and investment between our two jurisdictions,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

“We must continue to build resilient, mutually beneficial relationships with the region.”

“The South East Asia region represents significant economic and cultural development opportunities for South Australia. The Premier-led mission in August provides great scope to consolidate opportunities, as well as develop new ones,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

South East Asia is South Australia’s second largest export market, valued at $1.8 billion in the 12 months to March 2015 according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The State Government’s South East Asia Engagement Strategy focuses on the 10 ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste. It can be viewed at: www.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/southeastasia