Vodafone to help connect Queensland small businesses

Small Business Minister Leeanne Enoch today announced the Palaszczuk Government was partnering with Vodafone for 2017 Queensland Small Business Week. Speaking at a Cairns Chamber of Commerce lunch today, Ms Enoch said the partnership would help deliver a program designed to give small businesses the insights they need to start, grow and employ.

“Themed Time to Thrive, Queensland Small Business Week 2017 is an opportunity for owners to learn new skills and workshop new ideas so they can take their businesses to the next level,” Ms Enoch said.

“Queensland Small Business Week is an opportunity to strengthen collaboration and connectivity between government, small businesses and key stakeholders, which is a key initiative under the Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy.

More than 5000 people are expected to take part in Queensland Small Business Week activities and events across the state.

“The Palaszczuk Government understands that small business is critical to the state economy. State-wide more than 406,000 small businesses contribute $100 billion to the state’s economy,” Ms Enoch said.

Vodafone Chief Executive Officer Iñaki Berroeta said the company was excited about the collaboration with the Queensland Government.

“Vodafone is excited to be at Queensland Small Business Week, and to show how the power of mobile technology can help Queenslanders do business,” said Vodafone Chief Executive Officer Iñaki Berroeta.

“Small businesses are the core of Australia’s economy, and the lifeblood of local communities. We are very proud to be supporting small businesses in Queensland, and to help business owners use connectivity to open up new doors and succeed.”

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said Queensland Small Business Week would be especially important to help connect regional small businesses to each other and government support services.

“I’m delighted to have Minister Enoch in Cairns to meet with local businesses and announce this partnership with Vodafone,” Mr Crawford said.

“One in three Queensland small businesses are based in regional Queensland.

“In Far North Queensland, there are more than 22,700 businesses, including more than 6000 small businesses that employ between one and four employees.

“The week will be an opportunity for those businesses to access the new programs and support being delivered by the Office of Small Business,” Mr Crawford said.

Local councils, chambers of commerce, individual businesses and Queensland Government agencies will deliver more than 100 events throughout the week.

Registrations for 2017 Queensland Small Business Week events will open in March at www.business.qld.gov.au/smallbusinessweek.

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