SYDNEY - Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr said Wednesday that Australia would maintain its commitment to developing a long term partnership with Africa in resource projects.

Speaking at an African mining conference attended by senior Australian government officials, mining executives and more than 27 African government delegations in Perth, Carr said that there were more than 200 Australian companies undertaking more than 650 projects in 37 countries.

"In the spirit of cooperation and in our own national economic interest, Australia is committed to developing a long term partnership with Africa," he said.

With improved security and more stable government, together with a growing skilled middle class, Carr said Africa had the potential to match the economic transformation of Asia.

Carr said that the Australian government would provide 5 million AU dollars ($5.18 million) to finance the establishment of the African Minerals Development Center, to help lead the sustainable development of Africa's mineral reserves.