21 May 2008
2008 Australia Export Awards Recognise Excellence in International Business
Trade Minister Simon Crean, will tonight launch the 2008 Australian Export Awards at the Art Gallery of South Australia in Adelaide, recognising outstanding achievements in international business by Australian enterprises.
Mr Crean said the ability of Australian businesses to successfully compete in global markets is critical to the ongoing growth in our country’s prosperity.
“The Australian Export Awards recognise the international business success of individual enterprises and serve to highlight the importance of expanding our international commercial engagement, which sustains Australia’s economic wellbeing,” Mr Crean said.
“By bringing national attention to the international success of participating businesses, the Australian Export Awards play an important role in our ongoing export success.
“These Awards reinforce to business people and to the broader community the possibilities and the rewards of success in overseas markets. They highlight the value of global aspirations and international readiness and help rebuild Australia’s export culture.
“The Government is encouraging a culture of global aspirations and international readiness within our business community as well as creating opportunities through a reinvigorated trade policy aimed at lifting our overall international trade performance.”
This trade agenda is founded on the twin pillars of further reduction of barriers at the border – particularly through the Doha round of multilateral negotiations – and reform behind the border by investing in the drivers of economic growth, such as education, infrastructure, smarter regulation, and trade facilitation.
Mr Crean said that Cochlear Limited, winner of the 2007 Australian Exporter of the Year Award, was an outstanding example of an enterprise that was successfully taking Australian innovative technology to the world, benefiting people with hearing difficulties in many countries, while creating wealth and employment in Australia.
Mr Crean also acknowledged the achievements of South Australian companies which were winners in last year’s Australian Export Awards: Flight Training Adelaide and Imagination Entertainment.
“Australian Export Award winners, and indeed all participating companies, are helping to build the export culture we need to drive Australia’s economic growth in the years ahead and to ensure our economy is on a more sustainable footing.
“I encourage exporting businesses to enter the Australian Export Awards,” Mr Crean said.
For more information on the Australian Export Awards visit: www.exportawards.gov.au
Media Inquiries: Mr Crean's office 02 6277 7420 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555