11 May 1995
McMULLAN LAUNCHES 1995 ACT EXPORT AWARDS
Launching the 1995 ACT Export Awards in Canberra today, the Minister for Trade, Senator Bob McMullan, said the last 12 months had been a period of great achievement and growth for the region's exporters.
Senator McMullan said this was a remarkable achievement by local industry and business, and signals to the rest of Australia that the ACT has arrived as an export centre.
"ACT exporters found success in many different fields - from environment management systems to manufactured products - but the computer software industry is perhaps the big improver at the moment," Senator McMullan said.
"With a strong representation at the world's largest information technology fair at Hanover in Germany in March, ACT computer firms showed they can provide world-class products and services.
"Direct sales from the fair are expected to reach around $4 million, and that means a big boost to the local economy and more jobs for Canberrans.
"Last year's Export Awards - the first for the ACT - surprised a lot of people by showing that the ACT has a vibrant export community.
"ACT businesses demonstrated the depth and the strength of their exporting efforts, and people became aware that this region is an export leader in areas such as electronics, technology, and education.
"This year, I expect the entrants will reflect further growth and diversity in ACT exports.
"The Export Awards give firms the local and national recognition they deserve."
Senator McMullan said the 1995 ACT Export Awards feature a new nomination system.
The new system encourages exporting companies to nominate themselves, or individuals to nominate companies they believe are achieving exporting excellence.
"This system effectively opens up the awards to the ACT business community," Senator McMullan said.
"Service providers like banks and financial advisers, as well as company clients and customers, can nominate companies for their achievements based on personal or corporate experience of their efforts."
The three 1995 ACT Export Awards categories are:
ACT NIES New Exporter Award (open to companies which have been exporting manufactured goods or services for three years or less)
Commonwealth Bank Small to Medium Manufacturers award (open to companies with an annual turnover of $20 million or less)
Clayton Utz Services Award (for companies operating in a recognised Australian service industry).
The Ernst & Young ACT Exporter of the Year Award will go to one of the three category winners.
Each winner will receive a cash prize of $1000, a trophy and certificate. The winner of the Ernst and Young ACT Exporter of the Year Award will receive a further $1,000; a trophy and certificate. Applications close on 14 July and the winners will be announced on 9 October.
Senator McMullan launched the ACT Export Awards at the Fyshwick premises of CEA Technologies, last year's ACT Exporter of the Year.
Further information:
Senator McMullan's office: John Flannery, (06) 277 7420
Austrade: Tom Parkes
Capital Public Affairs Consultants
(06) 248 9344 (office)
(06) 251 2026 (after hours)