CHOGM a chance to showcase business

NEXT year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting offers a big opportunity to showcase both the state’s resources sector and its proximity to Asia, according to Mark Barnaba.

One of Western Australia’s leading directors, Mr Barnaba, was this week chosen by the state to head WA’s involvement in the Commonwealth Business Forum, an important element of CHOGM, which will be staged in October 2011.

He was one of five key appointments announced by Premier Colin Barnett this week.

Richard Muirhead will oversee the government’s planning for the event as state director of CHOGM 2011. He headed the state’s agency Tourism WA for eight years before quitting about eight months ago.

WA Council of Social Services CEO Sue Ash will co-ordinate the WA non-government organisations’ contribution to the Commonwealth People’s Forum.

Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi will join these three on a CHOGM steering committee chaired by Department of the Premier and Cabinet director-general Peter Conran.

Mr Barnaba said winning such a significant event was a big opportunity for local business.

“After the Commonwealth Games (in 1962) and the America’s Cup (1987) this is probably only the third global event Perth has ever staged,” he said.

Mr Barnaba said the Commonwealth’s 54-member states represented many of the resources-focused nations of the world, including a host of African states, Indian and Canada. It also included many growing nations in the Asian region.

The business forum was a major drawcard for CHOGM, which is expected to bring 3,000 visitors to the state.

“What is interesting is a lot of non-Commonwealth nations come to the business forum,” Mr Barnaba said.

Last year, the WA capital won the right to host CHOGM after significant lobbying by Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, who holds the seat of Perth.

It is understood Sri Lankan capital Colombo fell from favour due to the violence that occurred there as a result of the government’s war against Tamil insurgents.

Mr Barnaba, who is executive chairman of Azure Capital, director of Fortescue Metals Group and chairman of Western Power and the West Coast Eagles, said Dr Mohan Kaul, director general of the Commonwealth Business Council, planned to visit Perth in September.

The University of WA is also hoping to capitalise on interest created by CHOGM to stage a version of its In the Zone conference, which was first held last year.

That event brings together leaders from within the time zone that Perth occupies and those of close neighbours.