North-east businesses should seize the opportunity to diversify as Western Australia transitions into a “mature” energy landscape, a government expert said.
The Government of Western Australia’s European Office Agent General, John Atkins, headlined the second annual Aberdeen-Perth WA Gateway at the Macdonald Norwood Hall.
Mr Atkins emphasised the opportunities for firms with late-life experience to export their skills to Perth as the region enters its next energy chapter.
“There are already a lot of Scottish-based companies operating in Western Australia, but now as we are going into the more mature stage of our industry, with most of the major projects nearing completion, the maintenance and sustaining of the assets is really important,” he said.
“Scottish businesses have a lot of expertise there and that’s where are the opportunities are.”
North Sea experience is regarded as a competitive advantage in the region.
“If you look around the world, American skills in the resources industry is significant, but in offshore oil and gas obviously the North Sea is preeminent and very well regarded,” he added.
Mr Atkins was joined by a string of speakers, including Perth native and recent Aberdeen newcomer Matt Thomas, Asco’s global client director.
He said: “The similarities between Aberdeen and Perth are not insignificant, with a wealth of knowledge in Australia learned and acquired in the North Sea.”
Commenting on the success of the second Aberdeen-Perth WA Gateway event creator and Granite PR founder/managing director Brett Jackson said: “Aberdeen and Perth are both founding members of the World Energy Cities Partnership (WECP) and both are globally recognised as international energy capitals.
“The synergies which exist between these locations offer an exciting opportunity to explore in-depth the opportunities which exist for those seeking to broaden their corporate horizons. We are delighted at how well this event has been received and hope that delegates left with an exciting insight into the many possibilities which exist for those ready to expand their corporate horizons.”
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