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WESTERN Australian exporters have received encouraging news about the economies of some of the state's key trading partners, in particular India and China, with strong signs of growth for the future.

THE awarding to Brookfield Multiplex of the $220 million stage one contract for the Fiona Stanley Hospital is noteworthy in a number of respects.

INDIA'S dairy market has opened its doors to Australian milk products for the first time since trade was halted in 2003.

There’s unlikely to be a return to record low CBD vacancy rates any time soon.

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.

A portion of development sites in Victoria Park will be allowed to be built up to 18 storeys high after the state government approved a lift in building height limits.

The state government will create a new director position to oversee the expansion of the Ord River irrigation scheme and associated community and social infrastructure in the east Kimberley.

US oil giant Chevron says it expects to "sanction" the Gorgon liquefied natural gas project during the second half of this year.

Aspiring gold miner Catalpa Resources has reserved Perth-based GR Engineering Services for the refurbishment and construction of a processing facility at its $92 million Edna May gold project near Westonia.

A business advisory firm has urged small businesses to quickly take advantage of a federal government tax break before the window of opportunity closes.

The state's Grain Licensing Authority is set to be dismantled as the government announces that the export market for barley, lupins and canola will be deregulated before the start of the 2009-10 harvest.

Inpex says it remains committed to developing its $12 billion gas processing plant, located in Darwin, after a Liberal Senator said the company could move to offshore locations due to the Rudd government's emissions trading scheme.

Australian stocks opened stronger after gains of almost six per cent on Wall Street overnight, leading to advances in the financial and resources sectors locally.

The unwinding of the commodity and mining investment boom will take the lustre out of the Western Australian, Northern Territory and Queensland economies over the next few years, according to Access Economics, as the nation's economic backdrop continues t

Westpac's plan to top SME lending; China slides into deflation; Labor braces for emissions fight; UBS tips $US2,500 an ounce for bullion; Turnbull, Costello face off on IR

Golden West Resources says it is not seriously considering iron ore offtake offers it has received from China, Korea and Japan as it waits to get "visibility" on port and rail infrastructure before pursuing an arrangement.

Coal baron Ken Talbot will increase his holding in Sundance Resources to 22 per cent after purchasing $5 million worth of shares in the iron ore explorer.

Miner Jabiru Metals has paid down $US15.5 million ($A24 million) of its bank debt after closing out part of its hedge book while its Jaguar copper and zinc mine achieves record monthly production.

Perth-based junior Iron Mountain Mining has proposed an off-market takeover for Terrain Minerals in a deal valued at nearly $2 million.

Principles designed to encourage greater consistency and transparency in non-statutory profit reporting have been released by the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors today.

Shares in Quickstep Holdings have jumped as it secures an agency deal to promote sales in the Middle East and a $10 million convertible loan agreement.

Western Australia has recorded one of the larger falls in the number of job advertisements in newspapers and on the internet in February, a survey has found.

Kalahari claims another Extract chairman scalp; Chinese buy more Fortescue; Gillard beefs up work umpire; Wong admits ETS deadline in doubt; Rio’s US mine exit to chip at debt

The state government says it is happy to facilitate discussions to help find an alternative site for Pankaj Oswal's $1.5 billion solar energy plant after it was reported the Indian billionaire has approached a South Australian council.

Kalahari Minerals has withdrawn legal proceedings against Extract Resources following a unanimous agreement to appoint a new chairman and the resignation of two directors.

Chinese steel maker Hunan Valin Iron and Steel Group Company is set to increase its stake to 17.4 per cent in Fortescue Metals Group by subscribing for a further $87 million in shares.

Western Australian businesses borrowed $1.5 billion against their receivables in the December quarter, up over 15 per cent from the prior corresponding period.

Integrated Legal Holdings, a firm originating from Perth, has expanded its presence on the east coast after it reached a deal to acquire the legal business of Sydney-based mda lawyers.

Acceptance of Sinosteel Corporation's takeover offer for Midwest Corporation has kept Murchison Metals' net profit after tax in the black at $17.5 million.

The Brian Gilbertson-led Pallinghurst Resources and associated company Red Rock Resources is set to take control of Jupiter Mines, which holds several exploration tenements in Western Australia, following shareholder approval.

Navitas has formed a new partnership with software companies Oracle and Delexian to implement applications for its financial services platform across the entire group.

The takeover battle for Incremental Petroleum has closed with Texas-based suitor TransAtlantic Petroleum moving to compulsorily acquire the remaining shares.