Colin Jacoby

Western Australian wine is about to get a boost in the Japanese market, if wine ambassador Yumi Yamagata has anything to do with it.

As it approaches its second year of business, L7 Solutions Pty Ltd has proven that even the small fry in the IT consulting sector can take on the heavyweights and win.

Wentworth Mutual Ltd's strategy to expand is gaining momentum with the listed property manager acquiring the property management business of Australian Finance Group Ltd.

Western Australia's economy has been the stand-out performer in Australia in recent years and the outlook is still positive but it's not all good news according to Access Economics' latest Investment Monitor.

Cannington-based technology developer QRSciences Holdings Ltd has acquired an option to purchase 14 patent families linked to the Quadrupole Resonance technology.

Western Australian airline Skywest Ltd will spend $600,000 to upgrade the global positioning systems on its Fokker 50 fleet in an effort to enhance its ability to compete for mining charter work.

Mineral explorer Comet Resources Ltd has finalised a research and development contract with Flinders University for work required to demonstrate the commercialisation of the company's bacteria-based oil waste technology.

Shares in Fortescue Metals Group Ltd have risen eight cents today following news the company has received approval from the Port Hedland Port Authority for the commencement of construction at Fortescue's Pilbara Iron Ore and Infrastructure Project.

Fremantle-based Sea Corporation Pty Ltd has won a state government contract worth more than $40 million to supply shipping services to regional ports in the north-west, taking over from national firm Patrick Corporation Ltd.

Skywest has announced strong half-yearly results, headlined by a 948 per cent pre-tax increase in net profit.

Uranium explorer Paladin Resources Ltd has secured its second sales contract for a portion of its yellowcake production from the Langer Heinrich uranium mining project in Namibia.

Mineral explorer Comet Resources has received interstate recognition of its new technology with the Perth-based company obtaining more than $1 million in funding from the South Australian Government for its Environmental Oil Solutions project.

Local engineering, mechanical installation and maintenance company AGC Industries Pty Ltd is in the final stages of loading a 450-tonne steel structure on to a heavy lift ship at the Australian Marine Complex’s Common User Facility at Henderson, south of

Shares in Applecross-based Monadelphous Group Ltd have closed 13 cents higher today on the back of news the engineering services provider has been awarded a $90 million construction contract by Rio Tinto Iron Ore.

Perth-based mineral explorer Comet Resources Ltd has received $1 million grant from the South Australian Government for its Environmental Oil Solutions project in South Australia.

A sustained increase in print and on-line publishing revenues have provided Perth-based print publisher Aspermont Ltd with operating revenue of $4 million for the period ending 31st December 2005.

Underwater welding technology firm Neptune Marine Services Ltd has secured a fuel line repair contract in the Cocos Islands.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia will hold a trade mission to China in April 2006, taking participants to the frontline of Chinese business and equipping them with the skills and support to penetrate the market.

Perth-based neurology research and developer Neuro-Discovery Ltd has entered into a research collaboration with CSIRO.

Simulator-based medical skills training centre Clinical Training and Education Centre (CTEC) will undergo a change in its ownership structure with the University of Western Australia seizing full ownership from joint venture partners, which include Perth

The resources sector in Western Australia has continued its strong performance with new figures showing the industry was worth $33.2 billion in 2004-05, an increase of over 25 per cent on the previous financial year.

Perth-based wireless telecommunications company, Wavenet International Ltd, has started 2006 with a $3 million re-order of its vehicular modems.

Western Australia’s innovation credentials lifted a notch earlier this year as the state joined forces with interstate partners to construct a synchrotron in Victoria.

BankWest and HSBC have both appointed WA state managers for their commercial banking departments.The new roles follow the appointment of a new state manager for business and premium banking at NAB last week.

Record passenger numbers and several major property leasing deals have driven Perth Airport's earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation up by 18.5 per cent in the first half 2005 - 2006.

Shares in land development company Axiom Properties Ltd have shot up 19.7 per cent on the back of news it had made $41.7 million from the sale of new canal lots at its Port Geographe development near Bussleton over the weekend.

Managed investment schemes company TFS Corporation Ltd has advised its December sales campaign for its new 2006 Indian Sandalwood project has net the company approximately $3.1 million in revenue.

Diversified non-bank lender Financial Resources Ltd's related company QuikRent Pty Ltd has signed an agreement with Police and Nurses Credit Society Ltd for the provision of consumer credit products.

Property developer Axiom Properties Ltd has signed a variation to the Heads of Agreement which would give Pivot Group Pty Ltd a 60 per cent stake in Axiom.

Western Australian companies Zarephath Wines Pty Ltd, Vasse Felix Pty Ltd and Lenton Brae Pty Ltd will exhibit and sample their products to more than 400 guests at the Australian Specialty Foods and Wines Expo to be held in Los Angeles today.

Shares in uranium explorer Paladin Resources Ltd have risen 10.8 per cent today following news the company has secured its first sales contract for a portion of its yellowcake production from the Langer Heinrich uranium mining operation in Namibia.

Perth-based neurology research and developer NeuroDiscovery Ltd has entered into a research collaboration with CSIRO.