Government

While business fundamentals remain the same, there has been a shift in focus due to the downturn. Adam Orlando reports.

THERE must have been high-fives all through the halls of power in Beijing last week as government Mandarins celebrated victory over Western mining interests.

INDUSTRY groups have welcomed increased federal government support for training, as one of Australia's largest training providers was forced for the first time ever to stand down probationary apprentices.

RESEARCH has shown that Australian businesses involved in importing and exporting in the current economic climate are becoming dissatisfied with the trade loans provided by their financiers.

FEDERAL schemes designed to increase the uptake of solar panels have created plenty of business for companies like Solar Unlimited, but the rapid expansion is providing a major management challenge for the Western Australian firm.

Big companies' behaviour in tough times is often predictable, but it's just the market at work.

WHILE the short-term macroeconomic outlook is grim, small business groups are advising their members to get back to basics to adapt to the downturn.

Fresh produce and a mix of traditional and modern cuisine are on the menu at Yú.

A number of reform challenges lie ahead for WA's electricity sector.

The Western Australian Trade Enquiry Service is operated by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA with the support of the WA Government's Department of Industry and Resources.

At least 10,000 jobs are forecast to go in Western Australia over the next 18 months as an economic forecaster projects a 50 per cent fall in mining investments over the next two years.

IT services provider ASG Group has announced an interim net profit of $4.9 million, a 16 per cent increase on the previous corresponding period.

Mining services company Emeco Holdings has revised down its full year earnings forecast as it books a 30 per cent lift in half year net profit after tax of $39 million.

Fortescue Metals Group remains in a trading halt as it considers more capital raising after agreeing to sell a stake to a Chinese steel maker for $1.2 billion.

China's $1bn Fortescue play; Chernin's exit paves way for heir apparent; Gas find boosts Woodside train plan; State poised to approve private port; Labor under pressure on infrastructure funding

Iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group has negotiated a $558 million capital injection at $2.48 per share with Chinese steel maker Hunan Valin Iron and Steel Group Company.

Family power bills to rocket by $246 a year; Chinalco may bend on Rio; WA giant raises over $3.5bn as shares lift; Citi offers US government a 40pc stake; Forrest fights tax ruling on donation

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA has identified 33 government agencies which it believes are superfluous and, subject to review, need to be consolidated, abolished, or have their services privatised or contracted out.

Electricity prices for households and businesses are set to rise at the start of April in a bid to reduce losses by Verve Energy by some $320 million.

Perth-headquartered Cash Converters has lifted its full-year net profit guidance to up to $15 million as it delivers a record first half profit result, boosted by acquisitions in Australia and the UK.

The state government has appointed former liberal leader Barry Mackinnon as the new chairman of the state's Taxi Industry Board.

Nedlands-based Tox Free Solutions says it will not pay an interim dividend as it reports a 9 per cent fall in its interim net profit.

Shares in West Perth-based ThinkSmart have surged as much as 71 per cent on the back of a stellar 2008 net profit result, which soared 333 per cent.

Vietnam opened its first oil refinery on Sunday after more than a decade of delays, with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung declaring the complex vital for "national energy security".

The sluggish property market has impacted Cedar Woods Properties which reported a net loss of $5.6 million for the first half of the 2009 financial year, down from the prior corresponding period's net profit of $4.6 million.

Mineral sampling equipment manufacturer Essa Australia expects to remain profitable during the second half of this financial year after it posted a 34 per cent drop in its interim net profit.

Oil and gas services company Mermaid Marine Australia has reported a 63 per cent lift in its interim net profit on the back of higher margins from its international business.

Shares in Carnegie Corporation have risen as much as 27 per cent in trade today on the back of the state government investing $12.5 million in the company's new low-emissions power station off the coast of Albany.

Unions demand export licences; Austal chief confident of US Navy ship deal; British mutiny at Rio sell-out; Moody's review blues; Gillard pays employers to save jobs

Premier Colin Barnett remains optimistic that Inpex may change its mind over the location of its $15 billion liquefied natural gas project after meeting with the company's senior executives.

Global Construction Services says it will take a more conservative approach to acquisitions as it delivers a 15 per cent increase in its interim net profit of $5.4 million.

The state government has named Mirvac/Cbus Property as the preferred proponent for the redevelopment of Perth's Old Treasury Buildings following an extensive evaluation process.