Sunshine Coast businesses have extra week to nominate for Export Awards

Sunshine Coast businesses will have a little longer to complete their applications for the 2008 Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards.

Minister for Trade John Mickel today announced that applications will be open for an additional week, extending the closing date to Friday 1 August.

“We are extending the nomination period to allow more of the State’s export businesses, and especially small businesses, to get their applications in,” Mr Mickel said.

“The Sunshine Coast’s exporters are busier than ever, and Trade Queensland has received a number of requests for more time, particularly as the end of financial year has just passed,” he said.

“The awards are now in their 19th year, and have a record of success in promoting the achievements and capabilities of the Sunshine Coast’s local export businesses and industries.

“Successful local exporting businesses include Botanical Foods, which won the Agribusiness Award in 2006. Gympie’s Suncoast Gold Macadamias has also won this Award in the past and continue as one of the region’s great exporting companies.

“The Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards program gives our outstanding exporters due recognition and reward, and acknowledges the vital contribution exporting makes to Queensland’s businesses, communities and economy,” Mr Mickel said.

Nominations have been called from Queensland export businesses across the 12 award categories:
• Agribusiness
• Arts and Entertainment
• Emerging Exporter
• Information and Communications Technology
• Large Advanced Manufacturer
• Large Services
• Small to Medium Manufacturer
• Small to Medium Services
• Minerals and Energy
• Regional Exporter of the Year
• Small Business, and
• Sports, Events and Tourism.

The winner of the Queensland Exporter of the Year Award will be selected from the winners of these categories.

Additionally, there is the Richard Joel Young Export Entrepreneur Award for a successful young exporter, and the Dermot McManus Award for export innovation.

This year will also mark the inaugural presentation of the Tom Burns Award for an emerging exporter to China or Vietnam. This is a fitting tribute to the late Honourable Tom Burns AO and his dedication to building and improving relations with these two important trading partners for Queensland.

Sunshine Coast-based businesses wishing to nominate for a Premier of Queensland’s Export Award in any of the above categories can do so online at www.export.qld.gov.au

Minister’s office: John Smith 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060

July 15, 2008