DMP provides day of information sessions to aid COMESA nation's resource development.
| Date: | Friday, 08 April 2016 |
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The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) hosted a delegation from Kenya last week, further strengthening bonds between Western Australia and the African nation.
It is the latest interaction with a Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) member nation since official ties were created in 2014 when Premier Colin Barnett signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the organisation.
The five-member team from the Kenyan Commission for Revenue Allocation took part in a day of information sessions with DMP and Department of State Development (DSD) representatives.
Acting Deputy Director General Dr Phil Gorey, who officially welcomed the delegation, said that the visitors were clearly impressed with knowledge passed on from Western Australia's long experience in resource sector development and regulation.
"Sharing Western Australia's knowledge in responsible resource development is an important component of the Memorandum of Understanding," Dr Gorey said.
"The adoption of strong procedures and governance around decision making and reporting ultimately means that other nations can manage the growth of their mineral and energy resources sector, and can maximise the benefits of resource development for their citizens."
Dr Gorey spoke on resource regulation, General Manager Royalties David Norris addressed royalties and taxation, Mineral Titles Executive Director Ivor Roberts presented information on land access, Mining Rehabilitation Fund Manager Sarah Bellamy discussed mining securities and DSD Regional Manager John Shute talked about the WA-Kenya relationship and State Agreements.
The Perth visit stemmed from a 10-day trip Dr Gorey made as part of a Murdoch University delegation to Kenya in December last year for meetings with government, industry and academia.
Dr Gorey said that the Kenyan connection with DMP became even firmer after a visit by Department of Mines and Petroleum Deputy Director General Dr Tim Griffin and Tenure and Native Title General Manager Tony Bullen in February this year.
The visit was part of a tour of Kenya and Ethiopia under the COMESA MoU to share Western Australia’s mining knowledge through a series of workshops in Nairobi and Addis Ababa.
The Kenyan delegation's Perth visit was facilitated by Western Australian Trade Office Commercial Manager Africa Filippo Raggi.
The delegation members are Commission CEO George Ooko, Commissioner Fatuma Abdulkadir, Commissioner Professor Wafula Maasai, Information and Communications Technology Director Joseph Kuria and Natural Resources Management Manager Anastasia Wanjohi.
