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THE first ripples of a dramatic restructure of energy giant Shell's global business have reached Perth as the company seeks to slash its cost base, stay competitive and speed up its project development decision-making.

The Western Australian Trade Opportunities Service is operated by the International Trade Centre of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia.

RESEARCH undertaken at Curtin University has opened the door to potentially massive cost savings for oil and gas explorers around the globe.

WESTERN Australia's construction sector has been boosted with the awarding of $342 million in contracts to builders across the state as part of the federal government's infrastructure funding program.

UP to 100,000 state government employees will continue to have access to a major superannuation tax break, as the rest of the population adheres to strict new laws.

The secret to successfully managing an expanding privately owned business is to act like it’s public, according to John Georgiou.

TWO Perth financial planning firms are part of a group of 12 adviser groups nationwide that are now trading under the banner Shadforth Financial Group, and will seek a unified listing when market conditions improve.

THE Residential Development Council of Australia has forecast the need for 17,000 homes per year for the next five years, warning of further house price rises if that demand was not met.

PERTH accountancy firms are bulking up their businesses, in spite of the market woes, as a handful of new partners enjoy their first week sharing in the risks and rewards of their chosen company.

COPPER and zinc miner Kagara will add nickel to its base metals production portfolio with its Lounge Lizard project set to produce first nickel within the next couple of months.

Perth-based Axiom Properties has agreed to sell the residential component of a Melbourne property site for $17 million, with funds to be used to reduce debt levels.

The corporate regulator has banned Nedlands man, Quentin Ward, from providing financial services for eight years following an investigation into his dealings with failed fuel technology company Firepower.

Chinese steel mills have reportedly agreed to the same 33 per cent iron ore price cut as reached by its Japanese and South Korean counterparts.

East Perth-based Coretrack has flagged its intention to assess potential merger and acquisition opportunities as part of plans to increase the company's presence in the global energy sector.

An anti-uranium alliance has stepped up calls for a public inquiry into BHP Billiton's "secretive" Western Australian uranium mine, Yeelirrie.

The Perth arm of accounting firm Deloitte has expanded with six employees promoted to partners as net revenue rises by 28 per cent for the 2009 financial year.

Lithium hopeful Galaxy Resources has signed a $1.1 million joint venture deal with General Mining Corporation over its Shoemaker hematite iron ore project just north of Wiluna.

Western Australian helicopter company Heliwest has secured a contract for BHP Billiton's Rapid Growth Project 5 in the Pilbara.

Nickel miner Western Areas has locked in a two-year offtake agreement with China's Jinchuan Group, which will buy up to 25,000 tonnes of nickel from the Forrestania operation in Western Australia.

Profit season looming as worst for 20 years; Wages freeze to protect jobs; Barnett takes the razor off Treasurer; Great Southern declared insolvent; ABB cuts profit forecast

The environmental watchdog's conditional recommendation of Sinosteel Midwest Corporation's Koolanooka/Blue Hills iron ore project has prompted a rush of appeals in support for a full approval.

Perth scientist Bruce Gray has failed in his attempt to oust the chairman of Sydney-based Sirtex Medical, a company Dr Gray founded.

Subiaco-based Venture Minerals plans to raise $8 million to advance its Mt Lindsay polymetallic project in Tasmania.

The Perth-based chairman and chief executive of London-listed technology company CustomVis have survived a board spill requisitioned by a group of shareholders and former directors.

Western Australia's peak industry lobby group has welcomed the decision to hold the nation's minimum wage at its current level by Fair Pay Commission which handed down its decision today.

Canadian uranium giant Cameco has expanded its presence in Western Australia, signing a joint venture deal with Uranium Equities (UEQ) over a project located near the sizeable Kintyre uranium deposit.

Metallurgical testing company Ammtec has raised $11.5 million and plans to raise a further $2 million, as the board declares a final dividend.

West Perth-based Catalpa Resources has started construction on its $92 million Edna May gold project, just days after it announced a merger with its largest shareholder, Lion Selection.

A Chinese entity will take a major stake in Kagara after the miner raised more than $150 million from institutions and retailers.

Takeover target Dioro Exploration has urged its shareholders to take no action on a sweetened $71 million takeover bid by Avoca Resources.

Political pressure claims on Gorgon gas prices; Mining slump hits states; Funds attack fees with passive aggression; Oil giants accused of skimming; Bosses face new IR laws on bias

Perth Education City (PEC) has secured a $325,000 grant and "in principle" funding of a further $1 million from the state government to promote Western Australia's international education sector this financial year.