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About half of a new $300,000 grant recently awarded by the Department of Commerce and Trade to the Murdoch University-based Asia Research Centre (ARC) will be used to strengthen the Centre's expertise on China.
 "This is important given that China is emerging as a key to the economic and political future of Asia, as well as being itself in the process of rapid and fundamental change," said the Centre Director Professor Richard Robison.
"For these two reasons a good understanding of China is essential for Western Australia."
Professor Robison said the Department of Commerce and Trade's support was extremely valuable as it recognised the importance of 'putting in the hard yards' in gaining a deeper understanding of Asia, rather than simply obtaining sufficient information to sell Western Australian products in the region.
ARC Deputy Director Cisca Spencer said the Centre hoped to work on two applied projects -- one relating to the tourism market in China, and the other to the implications for Western Australian suppliers of reforms in the Chinese steel industry -- both of which would build on the Centre's Chinese expertise.
"The Centre's capacity to build on its academic expertise, by undertaking applied research for government and business, was another reason why the Department of Commerce and Trade (DCT) had decided to provide financial support," said Ms Spencer.
"The range of research projects that the DCT funds will support include both academic and more applied work, as well as a conference aimed at giving business a better understanding of how Asia was responding to the economic crisis, and an academic conference looking at the institutions needed for a market system to operate."
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| "Any significant developments in the region have a real impact on the state so it is crucial we refine our understanding of the underlying factors..." |
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Ms Spencer said Asia Research Centre current and forthcoming projects will examine a variety of issues including:
- the impact of leadership changes in Asia;
- the differing market economies in the region (a study being conducted in collaboration with one of Korea's leading universities -- Yonsei);
- accounting practices in Indonesia;
- market entry strategies for South Korea (WA's second-biggest export market);
- the impact of the monetary crisis in Malaysia; and
- decision-making and organisation practices in Chinese-owned family firms in South-East Asia.
Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan said that despite the current crisis, Asia continued to be a valued trading partner -- importing billions of Western Australian exports each year.
"Any significant developments in the region have a real impact on the state so it is crucial we refine our understanding of the underlying factors which make up the different Asian economies."
Professor Robison said the Centre was looking forward to collaborating with the Curtin University of Technology on research that would enhance Western Australia's understanding of the Asian and Indian Ocean regions, and to working closely with the Department of Commerce and Trade on this project.
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