Are you a corporation, institutional investor or high net worth individual looking to diversify your portfolio through new investment opportunities? Then the series of Business Opportunity Outlines recently published by Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) might be for you.

Each one highlights the investment potential of a high growth segment of Western Australia's agrifood industries, including:

• Plant protein processing, and plant-based milk products. 
• Nutraceuticals, and natural health supplements.  
• Health-focused oat extracts.
• Essential oil extracts.  
• Premium honey products.
• Industrial and food related hemp products. 
• Ready-made meal solutions.    
• Animal-based health products.
• Pet food products. 

Discover detailed industry profiles, drivers for growth, domestic and export market demand, Western Australia's competitive advantages and other identified factors which make each sector attractive for investment.

To discuss your investment interests further, please contact the Business Development Managers in DPIRD's Investment Services team – Ed Hauck at Ed.Hauck@dpird.wa.gov.au or Michael Schmook at Michael.Schmook@dpird.wa.gov.au. More... Source: DPIRD | Photo: iStock

The Western Australian Government has announced an additional $25 million as part of the 2022-23 State Budget to create a new Western Australian Agricultural Collaboration (WAAC) and spur the next generation of advances in the State's agriculture and food sector.

The WAAC will strengthen research, development and extension capabilities to help future-proof the sector and position the State for more national research funding.

The collaboration brings together the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the University of Western Australia, Curtin University and Murdoch University.

The WAAC will help stimulate further investment for WA-based research and the agrifood sector.  It will harness and apply cutting-edge science and expertise to the State's unique challenges and opportunities – including managing our drying climate, developing new technology to enhance productivity and reducing carbon emissions. More... Source: WA Minister for Agriculture and Food | Photo: DPIRD

Applications are now open for the prestigious 2022 Western Australian Export Awards. 

The awards recognise how export businesses boost the State and national economies, as well as supporting thousands of jobs. Exports contributed more than $240 billion to the WA economy in 2021.

Launched in 1988, past award winners have come from a range of sectors, including education, information technology, mining and agriculture.

WA businesses can enter 13 different award categories, with category winners from WA advancing as finalists to the national Australian Export Awards co-ordinated by Austrade.

The Western Australian Export Awards are delivered by Invest and Trade WA and managed by its program partner, the Export Council of Australia.

Apply now for the 2022 Western Australian Export Awards. Source: WA Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade | Image: JTSI

As the fourth largest city in the United States with a Gross Domestic Product of US$525.4 billion and heralded as the energy city of the world Houston is a great place to do business. With trade between Australia and Houston valued at around US$1.4 billion, it's time to discover the trade and investment opportunities in Greater Houston.

Houston is headquarters to these top food and beverage manufacturing companies: PepsiCo, The Coca-Cola Company, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Frito-Lay, Red Bull, and Anheuser-Busch.

Houston also offers a diverse range of industry sectors to pursue international engagement including:

• Energy 2.0.
• Life Sciences.
• Advanced Manufacturing.
• Logistics and Distribution.
• Headquarters.
• Aerospace.
• Digital Technology.

Join this event on 19 May 2022 at 7.30am AWST to find out more about the opportunities in Greater Houston from an assembled panel of expert presenters. This webinar is a precursor to arranging a virtual interactive business-to-business engagement between businesses in Greater Houston and Western Australia.

Tickets for this event are free for Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia members when registering with a membership identification number, or $105.45 for non-members. The link to join this event will be sent to your registered email address a day before. More... Source and Image: CCIWA

The latest quarterly Consumer Price Index data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show an increase of 4.3% in year-on-year food price inflation. This is the highest increase in food price inflation since 2011.

Food price rises were the highest in the grocery channel, with increases recorded across all major food product categories.

Horticulture was a significant contributor to food inflation, with vegetable and fruit prices rising 6.6% and 4.9% year on year. Higher costs of meat, seafood and dairy were also significant contributors to food price inflation in the quarter.

Higher transport costs, supply chain disruptions and increased input costs are the main underlying causes of food price rises. These factors will continue to put pressure on food prices in the coming months. Source: ABS / Rabobank | Photo: DPIRD

Applications are now open for the Australia-Indonesia International Trade Scholarship, where one woman from Australia and one from Indonesia will have the opportunity to undertake a short course at Monash University or INSEAD (Institut Européen d'Administration des Affaires).

Chief Executive Women (Australia) has partnered with Investing in Women, Katalis and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to offer the scholarship to an Australian woman working in international trade with Indonesia or looking to promote trade and investment between the two countries. The scholarship is open to mid to senior level women working in, or looking to work in, the international business or trade sector between Australia and Indonesia.

Eligible applicants will have the flexibility to choose a course that best suits their needs. The course must be offered by a higher education provider and can be studied online or on campus (anywhere in the world), with course completion by November 2022.

Alternatively, applicants can apply to complete the online Monash course or the INSEAD course in-person in France. Applications are open to candidates nationally and one scholarship will be awarded to the value of $20,000 inclusive of a $3000 travel allowance, if required. More... Source  and Graphic Chief Executive Women