LAST week’s trade mission to Perth by the Northern Offshore Federation’s Export Club underscored the growing international profile of WA’s petroleum industry.
LAST week’s trade mission to Perth by the Northern Offshore Federation’s Export Club underscored the growing international profile of WA’s petroleum industry.
Based in the north of England, NOF director and mission leader Alastair Rodgers said he organised five trade missions each year, and there was never a problem securing enough members for the one to WA.
Regarded as a blue-chip mission, it was those first in with their applications who got to be part of it.
The British Government supported a delegation of 20 for most trade missions but for this one was willing to back between 35 and 40 members for about £800 each.
The NOF Export Club was established in 1988 from huge interest among local North East England oil and gas industry engineers and suppliers to establish formal links and to advertise their expertise further afield.
Since 1997, when members first began their annual missions to WA, several companies have set up offices here.
Mr Rodgers said members recognised that, with myriad small and medium companies working in and supporting the petroleum industry here, there were plenty of opportunities to appoint agents for products and services or to form alliances and partnerships.
Being part of a group when visiting a new market also was helpful, Mr Rodgers said, with members able to share information and contacts and more experienced traders able to help the newcomers, of which there were 14 this year.
The Australian industry was attractive, not only on account of its comparative youth, the chance to be involved in major new developments and the proximity to Asian markets.
A pro-British attitude, common language and way of doing business also facilitated relationships, while excellent WA contacts, including first-class British Consulate host support, good political connections and strong government interest, helped mission members promote the experience gained in the 30–year-old North Sea industry.
These members offered a range of efficient practice and consultancy skills, training capabilities and equipment developed in the North Sea industry to Australia’s industry drivers keen to look at anything that might give them the global competitive edge.
One growth area was in training and, this year, eight mission companies offered education and training-related programs.
Telecommunications had made doing international business much simpler, but to know who there was to do business with, and who was interested enough to meet, missions like this were invaluable, Mr Rodgers said.
Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA chief executive Tim Shanahan agreed, saying face-to-face discussion in WA was the most effective way of finding optimal ways of doing business, and also of fostering international investment confidence in the WA economy.
Missions such as these were important in helping WA retain its profile as a world-class resource province, Mr Shanahan said.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA group manager trade services, Keith Seed, said trade was a two-way thing and trade missions to WA were the way forward to support industry here and to ensure the best joint ventures and alliances were created.
Based in the north of England, NOF director and mission leader Alastair Rodgers said he organised five trade missions each year, and there was never a problem securing enough members for the one to WA.
Regarded as a blue-chip mission, it was those first in with their applications who got to be part of it.
The British Government supported a delegation of 20 for most trade missions but for this one was willing to back between 35 and 40 members for about £800 each.
The NOF Export Club was established in 1988 from huge interest among local North East England oil and gas industry engineers and suppliers to establish formal links and to advertise their expertise further afield.
Since 1997, when members first began their annual missions to WA, several companies have set up offices here.
Mr Rodgers said members recognised that, with myriad small and medium companies working in and supporting the petroleum industry here, there were plenty of opportunities to appoint agents for products and services or to form alliances and partnerships.
Being part of a group when visiting a new market also was helpful, Mr Rodgers said, with members able to share information and contacts and more experienced traders able to help the newcomers, of which there were 14 this year.
The Australian industry was attractive, not only on account of its comparative youth, the chance to be involved in major new developments and the proximity to Asian markets.
A pro-British attitude, common language and way of doing business also facilitated relationships, while excellent WA contacts, including first-class British Consulate host support, good political connections and strong government interest, helped mission members promote the experience gained in the 30–year-old North Sea industry.
These members offered a range of efficient practice and consultancy skills, training capabilities and equipment developed in the North Sea industry to Australia’s industry drivers keen to look at anything that might give them the global competitive edge.
One growth area was in training and, this year, eight mission companies offered education and training-related programs.
Telecommunications had made doing international business much simpler, but to know who there was to do business with, and who was interested enough to meet, missions like this were invaluable, Mr Rodgers said.
Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA chief executive Tim Shanahan agreed, saying face-to-face discussion in WA was the most effective way of finding optimal ways of doing business, and also of fostering international investment confidence in the WA economy.
Missions such as these were important in helping WA retain its profile as a world-class resource province, Mr Shanahan said.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA group manager trade services, Keith Seed, said trade was a two-way thing and trade missions to WA were the way forward to support industry here and to ensure the best joint ventures and alliances were created.
