Opening of SMEC's international projects office

19/10/95

A commitment to the State by a major Australian project management and consultancy firm would lead to new overseas opportunities for Western Australian businesses, Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan said tonight.

The Minister said SMEC International Pty Ltd had already joined with local organisations to prepare bids and expressions of interest for projects worth more than $20 million.

Opening SMEC's new international projects office in Perth, Mr Cowan said the company's presence would have a significant impact on WA participation in projects funded by Australian and international aid organisations.

"WA industry has expertise and experience that could make it an important contributor to these projects, especially in the Indian Ocean Region, but its participation has traditionally been very slight," he said.

"SMEC, which currently has personnel and other resources involved in more than 100 projects throughout Australia, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Pacific, is already helping local firms understand the workings of aid agencies and meet their tendering requirements. 

"Jointly with the Department of Commerce and Trade, AusAID and Austrade, SMEC has helped conduct seven workshops and seminars which have given more than 400 businesses in Perth and the regions an insight into the international aid project market."

Mr Cowan said the WA Government would provide $49,000 over three years through the Department of Commerce and Trade's 'Locate West' program to help SMEC with the costs of establishing the office.  

"The Government's 'Trade Through Aid' policy, launched earlier this year, identified the need to attract an organisation such as SMEC to WA as a key to increasing the State's share of a market worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually," he said.

"I wish SMEC every success in winning more aid-funded projects using WA expertise."

Media contact: Peter Jackson 222-9595