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A number of reform challenges lie ahead for WA's electricity sector.

JAPAN has been hit hard by the economic crisis, with an annualised 12.

PREMIER Colin Barnett is a long-time critic of the former Labor government's energy reforms, arguing they are structurally flawed.

RESEARCH has shown that Australian businesses involved in importing and exporting in the current economic climate are becoming dissatisfied with the trade loans provided by their financiers.

While business fundamentals remain the same, there has been a shift in focus due to the downturn. Adam Orlando reports.

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.

WHILE the short-term macroeconomic outlook is grim, small business groups are advising their members to get back to basics to adapt to the downturn.

CHANGING market conditions have fuelled a trend towards strata property in the commercial sector, as owners respond by offering floors for sale as strata-titled stock to entice a growing number of financially constrained potential buyers.

WHEN the economy takes a turn for the worse, smaller firms can be the first to suffer.

THERE must have been high-fives all through the halls of power in Beijing last week as government Mandarins celebrated victory over Western mining interests.

THE global financial crisis hit hard and fast.

MACMAHON Holdings director John Massey has seized on the company's declining share price to bolster his interest in the stock, a day after the release of a subdued interim report.

PATRIA Jafferies launched her first business during the recession of the early 1990s.

FOR the past decade, the Clontarf Foundation has forged partnerships with business leaders and heads of government to help develop its program to assist Aboriginal youth.

BURSWOOD Entertainment Complex has become the first major Western Australian employer to sign up to the Australian Employment Covenant, a scheme designed to provide 50,000 jobs for indigenous Australians.

Fresh produce and a mix of traditional and modern cuisine are on the menu at Yú.

THE Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA has named the Small Business Development Corporation, LandCorp and the state's eight port authorities as prime candidates for privatisation or review.

Rather than being career driven, Margaret Seares says serendipity has played a big part in her success to date.

FEDERAL schemes designed to increase the uptake of solar panels have created plenty of business for companies like Solar Unlimited, but the rapid expansion is providing a major management challenge for the Western Australian firm.

Local suppliers need to be given a fair chance to compete.

TWO peak mining industry bodies have applauded the state government's announcement of an $80 million minerals exploration incentive, to be delivered over four years.

The economic downturn presents great opportunities for innovation.

Sometimes it's the little things that make the difference.

Engineering and construction company Paladio Group has booked a 7 per cent dip in net profit after tax for the first half of fiscal 2009.

Drilling contractor Ausdrill has delivered a record net profit after tax of $25 million for the first half of fiscal 2009, up 52 per cent on the previous corresponding period.

At least 10,000 jobs are forecast to go in Western Australia over the next 18 months as an economic forecaster projects a 50 per cent fall in mining investments over the next two years.

Woodside Petroleum says it will issue $US1 billion in corporate bonds in the United States in a bid to repay short term debt and for capital expenditure.

Nomad Building Solutions has revised down its full year net profit forecast for the third time after reporting a 62 per cent slump in its interim earnings.

IT services provider ASG Group has announced an interim net profit of $4.9 million, a 16 per cent increase on the previous corresponding period.

Aspen Group has reported an interim net loss of $42.8 million, taking a big hit from investment property revaluations and fair value adjustments for the reporting period.

Chevron Corporation says it is a step closer to commercialising its Wheatstone project after exploration of two natural gas fields showed there were enough resources to support a two-train development.