The Western Australian Premier and State Development Minister Colin Barnett has signed an important agreement to build a closer relationship with 19 African nations as part of an official visit to Zambia and South Africa. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Government of Western Australia and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), a regional economic organisation with member states including Zambia, Kenya and Uganda. The objectives of the MoU include sharing knowledge and technology between Western Australia and the COMESA states across the fields of mining, petroleum and agriculture.
“Western Australia has a world-class system of legislation and regulation governing the mining and petroleum industries,” Barnett said. “We look forward to sharing the knowledge and expertise built up over more than 120 years of successful resource development in Western Australia.” The agreement also aims to promote investment in vocational training and higher education across the resources and agriculture sectors, including through student and staff exchanges. “Western Australia already attracts a significant proportion of African students studying and training in Australia, around 30%, so is well placed to work with the COMESA states in the education sector,” Barnett added.
The COMESA states have a total population of 389 million and annual exports of $82 billion. “Engaging with COMESA is an excellent way for the State to build relationships in the region and opens up an exciting new market for Western Australian goods and services. To this end, the Government also established a new trade and investment representative in East Africa last year.” The agreement was signed in Lusaka, Zambia by Colin Barnett and the Secretary General of COMESA, His Excellency Sindiso Ngwenya. The WA Premier is in Africa as part of a visit designed to encourage closer trade and investment relationships in this rapidly growing region. He is also attended Investing in African Mining Indaba, where he delivered a keynote address.
Western Australia’s merchandise exports to Africa in 2012-13 totalled $1.4 billion, accounting for 38% of Australia’s total; and more than 70% of the Australian companies investing in Africa’s mining industry are based in Western Australia. Current figures show that 168 Western Australian mining companies are operating 807 projects in Africa, in 33 of the 54 African countries. The 19 member nations of COMESA are Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sudan, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
