there is growing interest in the mining, oil and gas industries in enhancing the opportunities for locally-based businesses to participate in resource projects. several leading companies have now adopted policies and standards explicitly aimed at increasing local procurement. in addition, an increasing number of agreements with indigenous groups include commitments to support the development of indigenous-owned enterprises. several leading companies have now adopted policies and standards explicitly aimed at increasing local procurement. in addition, an increasing number of agreements with indigenous groups include commitments to support the development of indigenous-owned enterprises. leading companies recognise that local economic participation is one of the keys to maintaining their social license to operate and to demonstrating that they are contributing to the long term development of communities and regions. some companies are now also seeing the business benefits that can flow from increasing local content, such as lower logistics and labour costs.