Victoria builds export technology - Brief Article

Business Asia, Nov, 2000 by Nadia Cameron

VICTORIA IS taking an aggressive role in increasing its export base by developing new technology industries.

Already a substantial exporting state, Victoria maintains a strong commitment to local businesses. The Victorian Department of State and Regional Development (DSRD) plays host to several longstanding export assistance schemes, including:

* The Export Market Planning Program, which assists companies with their export capabilities;

* Export Managers' Forum, which provides opportunities for export managers to meet and discuss new export issues;

* Export Networks and Consortia, which encourages small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing and service industries to cooperate and exploit opportunities for expanding into overseas markets (subsidies of up to $25,000 are available); and

* Trade missions and events. DSRD is involved in promoting Victorian businesses through international trade shows, with financial assistance of up to $25,000 available. Further information on trade events is available on the DSRD's Business Victoria website, or via DSRD offices.

Already established as an influential Biotechnology State, the Victorian Government is keen to continue its charge into other new technology sectors. One of its main aims has been to develop new technology programs for the information and communication technology industries (ICT). The $20 million Technology Commercialisation Program, launched in November last year, was the first such scheme developed to assist the growth of new technology companies.

The Connecting Victoria initiative is the State's largest, new program for expanding ICT. It offers a range of assistance programs through a six-part strategy:

* Building a learning society by addressing skills shortages in ICT industries;

* Growing industries of the future through the formation of the Information Industry Advisory Group (IIAG), a group which aims to identify key strategies for improving and expanding information industries;

* Boosting e-commerce through the development of an on-line Electronic Export Assistance Centre for SMEs;

* Connecting communities by targeting disadvantaged groups;

* Promoting new politics by increasing access to new technologies via Net Access Centres across the Victoria; and

* Improving infrastructure and access and therefore delivering better internet access at a lower cost to regional and rural Victoria.

There are also new financial and facilitative assistance programs for businesses in rural and regional Victoria, including the Regional Economic Development Program, and the Rural Industry Research and Development Program.

CONTACT

Business Victoria (Victoria
Department of State and Regional
Development)
55 Collins Street, Melbourne,
Victoria, 3001
GPO Box 4509RR Melbourne,
Victoria, 3001
Phone: (03) 9651 9999
Helpline: 13 22 60 (within Victoria)
1800 655 142 (within Australia)
Website: www.business.vic.gov.au