Community Invited to Comment on $150m Export Grant Scheme

Trade Minister Mark Vaile today announced a review of the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme.

"Last financial year the EMDG scheme gave nearly 4,000 Australian companies a much-needed boost into international markets with funding of $150.4 million," Mr Vaile said.

"These companies generated exports worth $5.5 billion and employed around 122,000 Australians.

"This important scheme, administered by Austrade, helps small and medium enterprises get into export and develop sustainable export markets by reimbursing up to half of eligible promotional costs above a threshold amount.

"The EMDG Act 1997 provides the scheme with a sunset clause, under which the last grants paid under the current scheme would be made in 2006-07.

"In accordance with the legislation, I have asked Austrade to review the scheme and to give me a written report by June 2005 making recommendations about the continuation of the scheme. Once I have received the report I will table it in Parliament and the Government will consider its response to the report's recommendations.

"Austrade is now calling for public submissions to the review, so I encourage all interested parties to put in a submission.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for the business community, particularly small and medium enterprises that are trying to break into export markets, to make their views about EMDG known and to suggest improvements to the scheme.

"I am also very pleased to announce that Mr Peter Jollie AM, a respected business leader with a strong interest in trade and export matters, has agreed to take up the role of EMDG Review Facilitator.

"Mr Jollie will work with Austrade to ensure that the review process is open to industry and stakeholder views, and will consult with business people around Australia to seek their views about EMDG," Mr Vaile said.

For those interested in making a submission to the review, an information paper and the Terms of Reference of the review are available at www.austrade.gov.au/exportgrants/review, or by emailing Austrade at EMDG.review@austrade.gov.au or calling 02 6201 7582.

The closing date for public submissions is Friday, 20 August 2004.

Media contact: Matthew Doman (Minister's Office) + 61 2 6277 7420 or Jemima Lohse (Austrade) +61 2 9390 2703