Australian trade mission explores W/A markets

Australian trade and investment missions are in the country to explore trade and investment opportunities.

The business missions, which include Austrade and Austmine, represent Australia’s mining equipment, technology and services sector, and have formed a partnership to stage the West Africa Mining Mission 2012.

 “The fast-growing region of West Africa offers great potential in exploration and mining, while demand for skilled workers in mines, agriculture and infrastructure is expected to provide opportunities for Australia’s international education institutions,” David Landers, Austrade’s General Manager for Growth and Emerging Markets, said.

He said the mission will be a useful way for Australian resource companies to get to know the West African market better.

“Australian mining companies recognise the potential of Africa, but this mission gives them actual exposure to the mines and the broader market conditions,” Mr Landers said.

“Participants will be able to meet the mine managers and see at first hand the potential for their goods and services,” he added.

West Africa is enjoying a period of stability and prosperity and the Australian Government recognises its economic potential, as well as that of Africa as a whole.

Craig Emerson, Australian Trade Minister, in early 2012 announced that Austrade would open a post in Accra as part of a broader effort to support Australian engagement in the region. The Australian government also announced in May that it would open an embassy in Dakar, Senegal.

Currently, Australian firms have about 90 resource projects in West Africa and Australian investment in Africa, actual or committed, stands at more than US$50 billion.

Austrade’s Accra office services the neighbouring African nations of Burkina Faso, Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone. The mission will visit mines in Ghana and Burkina Faso over a two-week period, and participants will be briefed on the mining sector and other aspects of commercial life in West Africa.