30 October 1995
Senator McMullan said the new Export Achievement Citations will provide recognition of small businesses which may not be at the stage to receive state or national recognition, but which should be encouraged to continue in their pursuit of export markets.
"As a community, we must pay tribute to our exporters - not just the big successful companies, but the smaller firms in the suburbs and in country areas who are doing their bit promoting Australian products and services and creating job opportunities in their regions," Senator McMullan said.
"Recently, I wrote to all Members of the House of Representatives advising them of the program, and I am pleased to say I have received a very strong and a very bipartisan response to the idea.
"The Export Achievement Citations will give all Federal Members, working with Austrade, an opportunity to highlight the efforts of local small businesses in their electorates.
"I believe it is important that we have such recognition at the local level, and I encourage all Members to be part of this exporter awareness program."
The Export Achievement Citation Program commences in November. Senator McMullan said the program fulfils the objective of the Government's Winning Markets trade strategy to develop an export culture in our business community.
"There are about 4500 Australian small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) regularly engaged in export activity," Senator McMullan said.
"But it is estimated this represents just seven per cent of all SMEs engaged in manufacturing, and around one per cent of SMEs in service industries.
"So there is a large untapped export potential among our SMEs.
"We need to get them thinking about exporting, and we need to raise industry and community awareness of the importance of these businesses to Australia's future economic growth.
"Indeed, Austrade has set itself the goal of finding a thousand new exporters over the next year.
"And the Export Achievement Citations program is an effective way to raise awareness at the local level of the achievements and efforts of our exporters - just as we do in sport, the arts and other worthwhile pursuits," Senator McMullan said.
Further information: John Flannery, (06) 277 7420