Staff Reporters

The director of one of the UK's largest and oldest arts festivals, Jonathan Holloway, has been appointed to take over as artistic director of the Perth International Arts Festival from 2012.

Solco has announced an exclusive supply deal with Chinese solar company Astronergy to distribute Astronergy's solar modules throughout Australia and much of the Oceanic region.

Grand Gulf Energy, previously Alto Energy, has announced it is proceeding with a $7 million capital raising to fund an expanded drilling program.

Continental Coal has announced a US$35 million deal to acquire a majority stake in South African coal company Mashala Resources.

Small to medium-size businesses will start to receive the state government's one-off $100 million payroll tax rebate this week.

Shares in Perth-based Apex Minerals have been placed in a trading halt ahead of an announcement relating to a $5 million capital raising.

Litigation fund IMF (Australia) has agreed to fund claims on behalf of current and former branch owners of the Bank of Queensland.

Channel 10 has agreed to broadcast the Hopman Cup after the ABC decided it would no longer show the tournament earlier this year.

An annual survey by Consult Australia has warned that engineering skills shortages will continue to constrain Australia's growth and limit innovation.

West Perth-based Automotive Holdings Group has purchased land at Castle Hill in Sydney's north-west for $24.5 million where it expects to develop a new dealership.

The state government has announced up to 75 staff at the Forest Products Commission are to be offered voluntary redundancies as part of a restructure plan, following big losses at the forestry agency.

Pro-Pac Packaging has announced it's expanding into Western Australia with the acquisition of Goodman Packaging.

Perth-based wealth management firm Plan B Group Holdings has moved to full ownership of Melbourne based advisory business Strategic Financial Management.

Shares in Iron Ore Holdings (IOH) have closed 3 per cent higher after the company announced its acquisition agreement with Rio Tinto over the Iron Valley project had expired.

The Town of Port Hedland has announced Doric Constructions and Earthcare Landscapes as the preferred bidders to build the town's new recreation facilities worth more than $45 million.

Software developer ISS Group has announced its estimated profit for the 2010 financial year will be $4.2 million after a 2009 loss of $2.9 million.

Sandfire Resources has decided not to let OZ Minerals, which recently took a large stake in the company, have a seat on its board.

A new multi-million dollar facility to train apprentices in the electrical and telecommunications industry has been opened in Jandakot today.

Private Perth business Sigma Group has sold its specialist manufacturing business to listed company XRF Scientific for $7 million.

The state government has chosen 20 builders to develop Karratha's second display village at Baynton West.

The board of media buyer and market researcher Mitchell Communication Group has agreed to a $363 million takeover offer by Aegis Group.

Shares in West Perth-based Atlantic have been placed in a trading halt pending an announcement regarding the Windimurra vanadium project.

Drake Resources and Panoramic Resources have joined forces to explore for base and precious metals, primarily in Scandinavia.

Monitor Energy has signed a $120 million Heads of Agreement (HOA) with SOCA Petroleum to acquire a 90 per cent interest in three production licences in producing onshore oilfields in Trinidad.

Nickel producer Mincor Resources has announced a 37 per cent increase in its ore reserves at its Kambalda Nickel Operation.

Global education provider Navitas has announced a 10 per cent jump in worldwide enrolments at its University Programs colleges for the second semester of 2010.

Reed Resources has completed a $7.5 million capital raising through a placement and will use the money to develop several of its projects including the Mt Marion lithium downstream processing project.

Perth-based internet service provider iiNet has entered a trading halt ahead of a possible acquisition.

Unlisted Perth company Sensear has completed a $7.1 million capital raising to support its global sales push and further enhance the company's innovative hearing technology.

SOUTH Korean copper smelting giant LS-Nikko Copper will take a 12.5 per cent stake in minerals explorer Sandfire Resources via a $93.9 million share placement.

IRON ore miner Grange Resources has disposed of two non-core assets so it can focus on its main business in Western Australia and Tasmania.

THE competition watchdog has upheld a decision not to allow five car rental companies the ability to collectively bargain with Westralia Airport Corporation over licence renewal terms at Perth Airport.