Premier meets Japanese Prime Minister in Sydney

The strength of the relationship between Japan and NSW was the focus of today’s meeting between NSW Premier Mike Baird and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Mr Abe’s visit to Australia coincides with the second anniversary of the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA).

“The NSW and Japanese Governments have a long standing relationship built on mutual respect and it is my pleasure to welcome Mr Abe to Sydney,” Mr Baird said.

“The NSW-Tokyo Sister State relationship dates back to 1984 and my first overseas visit during this term of Government was to Tokyo in May 2015 to emphasise the importance of the Japan-NSW relationship.

“The NSW Government continues to work with our Japanese friends to identify opportunities to strengthen our economic and cultural connections.”

Japan is the State’s biggest export market and largest source of Asian investment and today’s meeting was the first held between a Japanese Prime Minister and NSW Premier since 2002.

Mr Abe and Mr Baird discussed bilateral investment opportunities, infrastructure programs and financing, and the NSW Government’s participation in the Federal Government’s Japan Now program in 2018.

The early success of the JAEPA has opened doors for NSW exporters, particularly in the agricultural sector where meat exports to Japan have grown by $14.1 million and fish exports have increased by more than 50 per cent since the agreement came into effect in January 2015.

Mr Baird said the NSW Government was looking forward to the relationship flourishing into the future as both NSW and Japan embark on major infrastructure programs.