Jamie Burnett

Fruit and vegetable wholesaling is widely seen as an old-fashioned, low-tech industry, but businesses in that sector are increasingly adopting the latest communications technology to help them operate efficiently.

North Perth-based biodiesel company Australian Renewable Fuels Ltd has restarted production at its Picton site, with the state's current gas shortage leading a prominent Western Australian company to place a purchase order with the producer this week.

Western Australia's largest companies have delivered diverse results in a survey of corporate governance standards.

Herald Resources Ltd Directors have supported a revised $2.60 to $2.65 cash offer from Tango Mining Pte Ltd, which values the company at almost $524 million.

Perth housing prices have continued to decline, with new indicative data showing prices have dropped 1.5 per cent for the month of April.

Shares in metals explorer Chrysalis Resources finished 7 cents up on its offer price on its first day of trading.

New York based investment house, Harbinger Capital Partners, has purchased an 8.1 per cent stake in Midwest Corporation Ltd, adding to the likelihood Midwest's merger with Murchison Metals Ltd will win shareholder backing.

Advanced minerals and energy projects in Australia have been valued at a record $70.5 billion, with Western Australia accounting for three quarters of all capital expenditure, an Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics study found.

The recent appointment of The Board of Infrastructure Australia, who will allocate funding from the $20 billion national infrastructure fund, has been condemned by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia for not giving WA business a dire

Improved growing conditions in key areas has seen forecast Australian wine grape production in 2007-08 increase by 19 per cent, to 1.67 million tones, a report shows.

Ascot based nappy manufacturer SeNevens International Ltd will remove its Safeties Nature Nappy product from domestic retailers, as it works to meet Australian biodegradability standards.

New legislation regarding training and apprentice laws was introduced to parliament today, with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA applauding the move.

The key executives responsible for monitoring and reporting company carbon emissions appear to have a limited understanding of what is needed, despite new laws coming into force with six weeks.

A new low cost airline will service flights between Kuala Lumpur and Perth, with projections it may inject up to $100 million into the Western Australian economy in its first year, Tourism Minister Sheila McHale said.

A world class sailing event is set to inject $40 million into Western Australia, while attracting more than 5,000 visitors to the state, says the State Government.

West Perth based oil and gas explorer Nuenco has acquired a 5 per cent working interest in the Bullseye oil and gas prospect in South Louisiana.

Metals explorer Montezuma Mining will acquire around 12 per cent of West Perth based Auvex Metals, in a deal that will see Montezuma sell its manganese rights over Mt Padbury to the company.

Mineral exploration company Emergent Resources is looking to raise $5 million ahead of its previously released plans to list on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Resource, energy and infrastructure project developers, Emerson Stewart, are looking to raise $8 million ahead of its previously released plans to list on the Australian Securities Exchange.

A wave of announcements has seen 65 new boat pen licenses allocated in Fremantle, whilst the opening of a repair and maintenance facility and the allocation of $241,000 to improve two recreational boating facilities in the Pilbara has also been launched.

On the final day of tender applications, Midwest Corporation Ltd has nominated Yilgarn Infrastructure as its preferred developer for the $1.5 billion Oakajee port.

East Perth-based internet and telecommunications provider iiNet has returned to its acquisition strategy after a more than two-year layover, acquiring fellow Western Australian player Westnet for an $81 million cash payment.

A new $21 million oil and gas training facility has been opened in Henderson by the Federal and State Governments.

AM Radio station 6PR has shown a strong increase in breakfast ratings, attracting a further 23,000 local listeners, according to the latest Neilsen Media Research Radio ratings.

New figures have shown that new car sales for Western Australia have fallen behind many states for the year, despite a mini-revival in April.

Western Australian gold exploration company Castle Minerals Ltd, has intersected shallow gold mineralisation at its Akoko North site in Ghana.

West Perth based Nickel miner Mincor Resources NL has intersected Nickel near its Otter Juan nickel mine in Kambalda, Western Australia.

Western Australia has experienced the highest rise in building trade prices around the nation, with costs rising 15.3 per cent in the past year.

Perth-based Rubik Financial Limited today expanded its suite of internet bamking solutions through the acquisition of a Queensland company trading as The System Works (TSW).

Perth-based scooter company, Vmoto Limited, has announced that production and development of its Nanjing manufacturing plant in China is on schedule and within budget.

The Film Financing Corporation (FFC) has approved financing for three Western Australian productions, with a total investment of nearly $1.6 million.

Two Western Australian mining companies have warmed to the idea of heading to the Arctic north, with Greenland becoming the main focus for Ironbark Gold Ltd and Greenland Minerals and Energy Ltd.