Australia sees itself as a natural ‘partner of choice" for the emerging Philippine mining industry, according to the Australia Philippines Business Council.

Welcoming Philippines president Mrs Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to Australia at the end of last month, APBC vice president and Australian mining industry executive, Gavan Collery, said in the area of trade and investment, there is clearly renewed vigour between Australia and the Philippines. Two-way trade is approaching $2 billion with growth in mining, dairy products, food and beverages and medical as well as IT.

"Investment between our two nations is healthy, with $4 billion worth of new investment being put in place in Australia in the food sector as well as IT and technology hardware while Australia builds its investment portfolio in areas like agribusiness, defence, mining, mining technology, telecommunications such as call centres and business processing, education and infrastructure development.

"I work in the mining sector, an industry with a strong tradition in Australia. The Australian mining industry delivers 40% of this country's total export income. Australia has much to offer in minerals exploration, in mining technology, technology transfer and software applications, in minerals development and operations."

Currently, more than a dozen Australian mining houses have active minerals industry programs in the Philippines.

"Australia is a close neighbour to the Philippines and we unashamedly see ourselves as the 'partner of choice' for the Philippines in responsible minerals development as well as many other vital areas like agribusiness and telecommunications."