1998 Australian Export Awards

Address by the Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, The Hon Tim Fischer MP, at the Presentation of the 1998 Australian Export Awards
Star City Hotel, Sydney, 1 December 1998

May I particularly welcome the delegates to the Asian Trade Promotion Forum who are here this evening.

The Australian Export Awards are an important national event. They recognise the outstanding achievements of Australia's most successful and innovative exporters, achievements that are comparable to those of our sporting heroes.

Indeed, the firms that we honour tonight are our export "Gold Medallists". Some are "born global" enterprises that have quickly sprinted to international success. But for most, it has been a marathon effort against stiff overseas competition.

Through their world class performance, tonight's finalists have got to the line ahead of the rest, and earned rewards for themselves and for Australia. They have brought wealth into Australia, generated many new jobs, invested in new technology, helped to develop the skills of their workforce, and enhanced Australia's international reputation.

These export successes have been achieved in difficult circumstances. Economically it has not been an easy year, with the downturn in parts of the Asia-Pacific region creating additional hurdles for Australian business.

Yet in 1997-98, Australia's exports of goods and services reached the record level of A$114 billion, an increase of more than 8 percent over 1996-97. And in the first four months of this financial year, exports are up a further 2.6%.

Despite the slowdown in a number of Australia's key Asian markets, we achieved, and are continuing to achieve, export growth in many regional markets.

Our exporters have also achieved substantial export success by diversifying their efforts across the world. For example, comparing the first nine months of 1997 to the same period this year, our exports to the USA have increased by 40%, to India and Germany by 32%, and to the United Arab Emirates by 49%.

These are terrific results in some of the world's most competitive markets, demonstrating just how strongly the export culture has grown in Australia.

Traditionally we shipped raw materials to the world, and there is no doubting the enormous contribution that these rural and mineral exports still make to our balance of trade.

But we also have great export performances, and in many cases great export traditions, in a vast range of value-added goods and services.

Tonight's finalists show how diverse our export efforts have become. Smart cards, fast ferries, television programs, agricultural expertise, education, medical technology, wine, automotive components, computer programs, and electronics represent just some of our export success stories.

For its part, the Australian Government will continue to support Australian exporters as they battle against the odds around the world.

The Government has extended the Export Market Development Grants program, which provides $150 million a year to help exporters meet the costs of their trade promotion activities overseas.

At home, we have introduced the TradeStart export advisory network in rural and regional Australia. This network of offices across rural and regional Australia provides small and medium sized companies with immediate access to advice and assistance with the development of their export strategies.

And overseas, we will be expanding the Austrade network, including in Lima, Bucharest and Abu Dhabi, thereby providing on-the-ground support for Australian exporters in these emerging markets.

And, of course, the Government will continue to use every method available - from diplomacy to trade promotion - to improve market access for Australian exporters.

The Australian Export Awards are recognised by the national business community as one of Australia's most prestigious industry awards. Both Austrade and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry have long been committed to supporting and presenting these awards, which are now in their 35th year.

I acknowledge the 1998 sponsors of these Awards: DHL Worldwide Express; Thomas Cook; AusIndustry; Austrade; the Commonwealth Bank; Columbus Line; Hewlett Packard; Insearch Limited; Overseas Trading Magazine and Business Asia Magazine.

It is great to see leading Australian and global companies among the national sponsors. These sponsors generously provide the support that is needed to properly recognise our most successful exporters.

Now we come to the stage of naming names - the national winners in the nine categories plus, of course, the overall winner, the Australian Exporter of the Year.

Good luck to all the finalists, and congratulations to all on the significant contribution that you have made, and continue to make, to our economy and to our nation.