Top Tassie exporters gather - Australian Export Awards

Business Asia, August, 2003

Austrade managing director Peter O'Byrne has praised the efforts of Tasmania's trade community, saying the State has a "proud tradition (of) producing big export results".

O'Byrne was speaking at a Top Exporters Panel Discussion Luncheon held in Hobart early last month. The event was part of the lead-up to the 2003 Australian Export Awards gala ceremony to be held on 4 December in Sydney.

The Hobart panel discussion featured past state and national Export Award winners who shared their knowledge with the local crowd. On the panel for this event were Richard Ireland, CEO of Hazard Systems; Ivan James, managing director of Automotive Components Ltd; Damon Thomas, chief executive of the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry' and Joel Whitford, general manager of Shock Exports. Another special guest was the Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Bryan Green.

Success story

Austrade's O'Byrne said Tasmania's export sector--worth almost $2.5 billion a year--had successes in a wide range of industries. "We need to celebrate success. (Tasmania) has previous national export awards winners--companies like 1997 winners InCat and 1999 winners Pipers Brook," he said.

"In food and beverages, the former Apple Isle is now exporting some of the world's finest pinot noir from the Tamar Valley. King Island's dairy products are finding ready overseas markets. Scallops from Spring Bay Fisheries on the south east coast will shortly be back on the menu in France and South East Asia, with Austrade's help.

"There's also a highly diversified and expanding industrial and hi-tech base here as Tasmania answers export demand."

O'Byrne also reiterated Austrade and the Federal Government's goal of doubling the number of Australian exporters by 2006, citing the importance of exports to the economy.

"Exports are a vital ingredient of Australia's economic lifeblood, account for one in five jobs in cities and one in four jobs in regional areas--and generated $151 billion last year," he said.

"Yet those results were achieved from a very small base. Only four per cent of Australia's 700,000 companies are exporting--and only half of those regularly.

"Research shows more exports mean more jobs, better pay rates, more competitive companies, better pay rates, more competitive companies, better bottom lines and ultimately a wealthier Australia.

"We estimate a 10 per cent increase in the number of exporters will lead to an additional 70 000 jobs, and doubling the number of exporters will deliver $40 billion to the Australian economy."

For more information about the 2003 Australian Export Awards, visit www.charlton.com.au or www.austrade.gov.au.