Qld small businesses urged to tap into export market

The Premier is calling on small business owners, particularly in regional Queensland interested in tapping into burgeoning export markets to take advantage of new forums being held across the state.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told Parliament today Trade and Investment Queensland is rolling out forums over the next six months for small-and-medium businesses that are looking to attract investment or take their first steps into exporting.

“Queensland is an export state. Last year Queensland’s merchandise exports reached a new high of $81.7 billion, greater than New South Wales and Victoria combined,” the Premier said.

“Exports have increased by 85 per cent in the four years since my government took office, driven by metallurgical coal, LNG, minerals and beef.

“It’s not just exports of goods that are growing strongly with knowledge-based exports also growing at a rate faster than the nation, increasing 16 per cent last year to reach $3.3 billion.”

The Premier said more than 500 Queensland businesses were supported by Trade and Investment Queensland in the second half of 2018.

“We want our small and medium sized businesses to get in on the action,” she said.

“It’s important to help create the right environment for small businesses to thrive and generate more jobs, particularly in regional Queensland."

Between now and June there are over 50 low cost forums taking place from Brisbane to Cairns but also targeting smaller regional communities like Maryborough, Yeppoon and Mount Isa.

The workshops will be held in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Mount Isa and Maryborough.

“Investing in training means that regional businesses, which often have limited opportunities to access training, will have the capabilities to meet the challenges involved in exporting or attracting investment to the business," the Premier said.

“Trade and Investment Queensland, the government’s global business agency, is running these forums and I encourage anyone thinking about exporting or looking for investment in their business, to go along and find out what is involved.”

The Trade and Investment Queensland Regional Business Growth Essentials Series includes:

• How to Attract Funding and Creating Winning Investment Proposals workshops aimed at businesses looking for investors. These workshops will provide participants with:

­           - where to start in looking to attract investment and funding

           - global investment trends affecting investors decisions and

­           - address the important components of a business case and how these can be used to attract high-quality investment for a project

• Explore e-commerce workshops will include how to integrate digital platforms into a business to expand its reach in the global marketplace and access new markets for export
• Build Cultural Awareness workshops provide SMEs and stakeholders with a vital understanding of cultural differences when negotiating with export agents and investors in international markets
• Get Pitch Ready workshops provide SMEs and stakeholders with the skills to pitch their products, services and projects to enable export and investment attraction outcome

The suite of training is a deliverable under the Queensland Trade and Investment Strategy.

For more information head to: www.tiq.qld.gov.au/workshops

To register please go to https://www.tiq.qld.gov.au/event/attracting-funding/

ENDS

Media contact:

Zoe Russell – 0439 982 347