THERE is a great deal of logic in holding the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth this year, and not only because the Western Australian capital is relatively safe and economically buoyant.
For those who believe in the potential of the Indian Ocean rim, of which Perth guards the south-east gateway, there is no greater regional concentration of Commonwealth power – be it in terms of population or economic potential – than along the coasts containing that famous sea.
There are more than 20 Commonwealth nations which either have coastlines abutting the Indian Ocean, or would consider that expanse of sea their closest. In Africa’s east there are 13 Commonwealth nations with an estimated population of 230 million; in Asia there are seven such nations with nearly 1.6 billion people, including India – touted as the next major growth market after China; and, intriguingly, most of the handful of applicants to the Commonwealth come from the region, including Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan and Madagascar.
By comparison, the only other significant Commonwealth cluster is in the relatively poor Caribbean region.
The domination of the coast and hinterland of this important Indian Ocean region provides a great measure of security as well as opportunity for Commonwealth members that often have strong links through language and legal systems due to their history as British colonies.
It is little wonder, then, that the Commonwealth Business Forum, which runs in conjunction with CHOGM, has attracted 50 delegates from China, a country that has also sought to project its influence in the strategically important Indian Ocean region and resources-rich countries in Africa.
Not surprisingly, the forum is promoting a mining initiative, recognising the strong focus on that industry in Perth and the needs of many African nations, which want the kind of resources activity that WA has.
Forum director general Mohan Kaul this week acknowledged the role Perth-based miners already have in resources development in other regional Commonwealth countries, notably in Africa.
Dr Kaul added that the African nations also recognise this, noting that he could have had a further 200 business delegates from Tanzania alone if the deadline for visa applications had not closed so close to the confirmation of its president, Jakaya Kikwete, as a CHOGM attendee.
“This really is seen as an important city and growing epicentre, particularly for the Indian Ocean,” Dr Kaul said.
In fact, for many in WA the real CHOGM action is as likely to have been at the business forum discussions, which started on Tuesday and precede the main event.
While trade will no doubt be part of the main CHOGM talks, the business forum has attracted 1,200 delegates, about half of whom come from overseas, looking for investments, investors or partners. Part of the forum’s strategy is to actively facilitate meetings requested by those looking to do business with each other.
Dr Kaul said the forum had $100 billion in projects up for discussion, while $10 billion in deals were to be announced during the event.
Outside the Indian Ocean, major oil producer Nigeria is present, as is major resources nation Canada and, of course, Britain, which is one of the biggest financial services centres in the world.
