CHENNAI, NOV. 18. The Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, today sought technological transfer and investment from Western Australia in the energy-petrochemical projects under the consideration of the Tamil Nadu Government.

Noting that Western Australia had shown a keen interest in participation in the new Iron Ore Export terminal at the Ennore port, she said: "I look forward to such collaborative efforts in the near future."

A delegation led by Mr. Clive Brown, Minister for State Development, Tourism, Small Business and Minerals of the Government of Western Australia, conveyed to Ms. Jayalalithaa that Western Australia had the necessary expertise to undertake collaborative efforts with Tamil Nadu in mines and minerals, information technology, biotechnology and agro-based industries.

Mr. Brown, during a meeting at the Secretariat, told Ms. Jayalalithaa that the trade between Tamil Nadu and Australia in terms of Indo-Australian joint ventures was flourishing and had greater capability for "much more absorption."

Western Australia was ready to lend its expertise in areas such as heavy industries and effluent treatment, he added.

Ms. Jayalalithaa, pointing out that Tamil Nadu had already signed several memoranda of understanding with established firms in mining, IT and bio-technology, said transfer of technology and investment were welcome.

Addressing the delegation, she said there were nearly 24,275 million tonnes of lignite reserves available for exploitation in the State. Nearly, 52,000 million tonnes of magnesite reserves were available in the western districts.

Also, Tamil Nadu had very large quantities of limestone, nearly 144 million tonnes, and untapped reserves of oil and natural gas in the Thanjavur delta and Cuddalore areas.

Heavy mineral sands including garnet ilmenite, monozite and rutile were available to the extent of 18 million tonnes in the coastal areas. Silica sand was available to the extent of 15 million tonnes, clay to the extent of 7.5 million tonnes and granite to the extent of 6 million tonnes.

"Exploitation of these minerals for industrial purposes was possible through collaboration with Western Australian firms, which, I understand, have superior technology and equipment for exploration and exploitation of these minerals," she said.

Tamil Nadu had the human resource and institutional back-up for enhanced initiatives in the IT and biotechnology sectors.

Since the Centre for Ground Water Studies, Western Australia, had an interest in tannery effluent and ground water remediation projects, collaboration on a firm-to-firm basis and on an institutional basis was possible as many leather units and dyeing units in the textile sector were in need of the expertise.

The expertise of Western Australia could help in expanded production of marketable fruits and vegetables in the agricultural export units to be set up at Nilakottai in Dindigul district.

Western Australia's experience in producing quality wines could also be utilised to support the programme for value addition in grape growing areas in and around Theni district, said Ms. Jayalalithaa.