DMP delegates meet with government, industry and academic representatives on recent visit to Africa.
| Date: | Monday, 18 January 2016 |
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The Department of Mines and Petroleum’s (DMP) regulatory expertise was showcased in Africa during a recent visit by department representatives.
In December a delegation from DMP and Murdoch University travelled to Kenya and Mauritius to take part number of formal meetings with government, industry and academic representatives over a 10 day period.
The aim was to provide information sessions on examples of best practice adopted by DMP in relation to the regulation of Western Australia’s resources industries as well the outcomes of successful research and policy activities.
DMP Executive Director Environment Dr Phil Gorey, who was part of the delegation said the trip had been effective in building relationships and establishing opportunities for further cooperation.
“A number of further collaboration opportunities have been identified as a result of the delegation’s visit which are currently being pursed and could result in positive outcomes in the future,” Dr Gorey said.
“The presentations and offers of support for future partnership delivered by the delegation were very well-received and all government agencies expressed a desire to learn from the Western Australian experience.”
In 2014 the Western Australian (WA) Government established a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 19 African countries in an effort to help the development of their mining, oil and gas industries.
Dr Gorey said DMP’s recent visit had helped to raise awareness of the MoU between the WA Government and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the potential opportunities it creates.
“The delegation was able to highlight the mineral and petroleum expertise that DMP and Murdoch University are able to offer to COMESA countries as a result of the MoU arrangements that are already place,” he said.
“Several positive discussions were also held with government officials of the Kenya and Mauritius regarding a number of other opportunities for research activities and other collaborative activities under the MoU.”
