Launch of the North Queensland Exporters Network

I am very pleased to be here in Townsville today to launch the North Queensland Exporters Network.

This is a wonderful initiative which will greatly benefit the North Queensland exporting community. An initiative such as this would not be possible without the assistance and commitment of:

The Commonwealth agencies Austrade and AusIndustry
The Queensland State Government
The Port of Townsville
Townsville Enterprise
and the Townsville Chamber of Commerce

Each of these organisations have played a hand at bringing this idea to fruition, and I am pleased that all represented here today.

It is good to see such a strong turnout today and I am sure this will bode well for the success of the network in the future.

Today is an opportunity to share your experiences with other exporters - some of whom may be new to exporting - while others will be more established.

Irrespective of this, we all share a common interest - to improve Australia's export performance and terms of trade.

To be internationally competitive, Australian exporters need reliable information and advice about foreign markets, finance, customers, cultures, local laws and regulations, distribution networks and marketing practices.

While government trade development agencies, such as Austrade, have the skills, experience and networks to connect exporters to markets overseas, there are also many Australian exporters who are able to share their knowledge and experience for the benefit of others.

This is the foundation upon which the North Queensland Exporters Network has been built. I encourage everyone to use this meeting, and other similar opportunities, to meet as many exporters as possible. Doing so will not only ensure the network's success - but will also be of enormous commercial benefit to all committed participants.

Improved commercial outcomes for our exporters is of enormous interest to the Minister, Simon Crean, and the federal government.

Research has shown that exporters play a key role in the economy by creating employment and increasing productivity. Many Australian businesses have had significant successes overseas - and having visited numerous exporters around the country from far north Queensland to south east Western Australia - I know that size has been no barrier to successful exporting.

A business that is successful domestically is often a good indicator that they can be successful internationally.

Take, for example, Townsville businesses I visited today:

Digital Dimensions is a multimedia production company that is competing on the world stage, producing documentaries and programs that showcase the beauty of Australia’s unique natural resources.

Bstar is working with Austrade to examine international opportunities for its online programs that teach small and medium-sized businesses about succession planning and is already seeing success in New Zealand and Canada.

Many Australian companies, big or small, are true global players - and of this we can be very proud.

The Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, has been attending the WTO Trade Ministers meeting in Geneva to push for meaningful reductions in trade barriers for our exporters – not just for agriculture and industrial goods, but also for services – and the successful conclusion of the Doha Round.

The Government also recognises the importance of continued reforms in our own economy and is committed to increasing investment in the drivers of productivity, trade and economic growth – such as skills, education, transport, infrastructure and innovation.

While these long-term ambitions will benefit local exporters, government assistance is already at hand.

Austrade is the Australian Government’s export and investment development agency and has a wide overseas network - more than 110 locations in over 60 countries - and an extensive number of offices in metropolitan and regional Australia.

Austrade also works closely with Trade Queensland and local service providers, such as Townsville Enterprise, to assist new, diversifying or global businesses in Queensland.

In the last financial year, Austrade assisted 700 Queensland companies achieve international sales, 250 of which made their first international business transaction.

These federal and state government agencies provide invaluable advice, export coaching, workshops, networking opportunities, grants and programs to help businesses enter overseas markets.

I encourage you to make the most of these government services and wish you every success in your export and international business journey.