Mr Brown said the resources sector was WA's most important economic driver and attracting increased investment was vital. As a result he would meet with a range of companies including ChevronTexaco, Apache and Alcoa.

"There is no greater concentration of potential investors than in the US and the message I will be sending is that WA is very much open for business," he said.

"America has a proud tradition of heading out West. I'm going to encourage them to continue embracing their pioneer spirit and look even further - in fact, all the way to WA."

Mr Brown said WA was home to some of the most productive and diversified mineral regions in the world with more than $27.2 billion worth of mineral and petroleum products being produced in WA last year.

The Minister said attracting investment was becoming increasingly competitive in the global market, meaning that governments must be highly proactive in their efforts to have their regions stand out from competitors. The delegation will visit New York, Washington, Houston and San Francisco.