WA Government unveils a proposal to build a $1.85-Billion World Trade Centre in East Perth backed by a private Middle-Eastern group that includes former Perth Airport manager Neil Kidd. The privately-funded towers would be 36 and 75 storeys. It will be by far Perth's biggest and tallest building.

A shopping mall, hotel, international trade, investment and convention centre would be woven into high-rise buildings that would also feature apartments and restaurants in what WA Premier said was a landmark development for Perth.

The plan will undergo a detailed assessment that will require the proponent to address a number of requirements, including funding options, before a participation agreement can be entered into with the state government, and before possible state funding can be negotiated.

World Trade Centres Association is led by Qatar-based businessman Ghazi Abu Nahl, with Kidd listed as business development director of the group's Perth division.

In a recent interview with the reporters, Kidd said that some 20 percent of the world's population reside in the Australian time zone and their top 3 trading partners are China, Japan and the Asean nations.

"We believe a World Trade Centre in Perth will anchor the renewal of an area that's underutilised, it will showcase brand WA and it will stimulate and boost trade", he said.

Lands Minister Terry Redman said the proposal was exactly the kind of unique project that the unsolicited bids guideline was designed to facilitate assessment of.