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ADu ReVIeW

Numbers point to Australia’s

African opportunity

Amid a world of shifting allegiances and alliances, the relationship between Australia
and the African continent appears to be on course to grow in the next decade
judging by the response of speakers and delegates at Africa Down Under.

ore than 1,200 attendees were pre- clarified, his State’s position on the edge Much of the strength of this relation-
Msent in Perth for the four-day event of the Indian Ocean made it Australia’s ship comes from WA’s resources sector
which in recent years has found itself “gateway to Africa”. engagement with the continent. Aus-
the cornerstone of the growing Austral- “This is an important conference and tralian Federal Defence Minister Linda
ia-Africa Week festival of business and I believe it is crucial that it is held, right Reynolds pointed to one in 20 ASX-listed
community events. here in Perth, because WA is Australia’s companies having investments in Africa
The size of the conference and of gateway to Africa,” McGowan said dur- as evidence of the depth of the mining
Western Australia’s engagement with ing his opening remarks. “Not simply be- industry’s involvement in the sector. She
Africa may come as a surprise to many cause of geographical proximity, here on admitted that prior to her first visit to the
Australians on the east coast of the coun- the west coast but through our already continent, even she as a WA Senator
try. Even Canberra has an all-consuming developed relationship. Western Austral- hadn’t fathomed the extent of the rela-
focus on relations with China and the ia has a stronger relationship with Africa tionship.
US but as WA Premier Mark McGowan than the east coast.” “I am slightly embarrassed to say that

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