Vaile Releases EMDG Review Report

Trade Minister Mark Vaile tabled a report on the review of the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme in Parliament today.

The EMDG scheme, administered by Austrade, helps small and medium Australian enterprises get into exporting and develop sustainable export markets by reimbursing up to half of their eligible promotional costs above a threshold amount.

In 2004-05 the EMDG scheme paid 3277 grants. Of these grants 77 per cent went to small businesses with annual incomes of $5 million or less.

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

“Last year, in accordance with the legislation, I asked Austrade to review the EMDG scheme and to give me a written report making recommendations about the continuation of the scheme,” Mr Vaile said.

“Austrade has provided me with a report that takes into account the views expressed in 394 public submissions and in meetings with representatives of business, industry associations and government bodies.

“The report recommends the EMDG scheme should continue for a minimum of five years until the end of 2010-11 and there should be another review before the end of that period. The report also recommends a number of options for improving the performance of the EMDG scheme.

“I invite any interested persons to write to me by 13 October 2005 putting forward their views about the report and its findings. I will take into account views received in developing a response,” Mr Vaile said.

Austrade is providing copies of the report to everyone who made a submission to the review. Copies can also be downloaded from: www.austrade.gov.au/exportgrants/review.

Contacts: Richard Forbes (Minister Vaile) 02 6277 7420 -
Gregory Harvey (Austrade) 02 9390 2703