Barnett welcomes Chinese investment in WA

The Murchison-Mitsubishi Development joint venture, chosen by the state to provide port and rail infrastructure to and at Oakajee, was responding to comments by Western Australian premier Colin Barnett, who is visiting China.

“The development of Oakajee Port is a key project in the future of Western Australia and the nation,” Mr Barnett said.

“It also provides an unprecedented opportunity for a truly Western Australian-Chinese-Japanese investment collaboration.

“I am keen for Chinese companies to be involved in the construction and development of both the port and railway infrastructure and we ensured the scope for that through the state agreement which was signed earlier this year.

“Today’s meeting was about welcoming people to be involved in the Oakajee development and the message was well received.

“To facilitate Chinese participation in Oakajee, the government and Oakajee Port and Rail will jointly host a Chinese trade delegation in September.”

OPR revealed it was pursuing proposals whereby China Communication Construction Co would provide design assistance and China Railway construction Corp might provide strategic co-operation for the rail component of the project.

Mr Barnett met Sinosteel Cooperation president Huang Tianwen and senior executives to discuss their operations in the Mid-West region of WA.

“Sinosteel owns 100% of Midwest Corporation and I made it known that the government would be supportive of Sinosteel increasing its share in other Mid-West companies,” he said.

“We also discussed the Oakajee Port and Rail development and I encouraged Sinosteel to participate in the project.”

Mr Barnett also reportedly told an investment seminar in Beijing that he did not support the export joint venture in the state between BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.

He highlighted the need for the proposal to gain government approval and pledged stringent scrutiny of the deal.