Welcome to the final edition of ExportActive for 2008. This year the Export and Market Development team have had the privilege and pleasure of working with many innovative and committed Tasmanian companies and individuals from a wide variety of industries. I would like to acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of our team: Martin Turmine, Mark Warrener, Caleb Wright, Kim McShane, Ann Atkinson, Fransina Barns, Shelley Stephens, Maree Crisp and of course Alan Campbell for his guidance and enthusiasm.
We congratulate all the Tasmanian Export Award winners, particularly Ta Ann Tasmania for being named the Emerging Exporter of the year at the Australian National Export Awards held recently in Melbourne.
The team would also like to thank all Tasmanian companies and friends who have supported our activities during 2008. We look forward to assisting a greater number of Tasmanian enterprises with their export goals in 2009 and look forward to renewing friendships with those that are interested in Tasmania and all we have to offer.
We wish you all a very happy and safe holiday season as well as a prosperous 2009.
Export and Market Development Opportunities
The presentation of the Australian National Export Awards was held in Melbourne on 5 December 2008.
The evening was hosted by the Minister for Trade the Hon Simon Crean MP with special guest Prime Minister of Australia the Hon Kevin Rudd MP.
Ta Ann Tasmania won the Australian award category as the AusIndustry Emerging Exporter of the year and was presented with the award by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, the Hon Senator Kim Carr. Ta Ann Tasmania exports rotary peeled veneer that is manufactured from regrowth and plantation eucalypt logs. Prior to exporting to international markets, these logs were only suitable for wood chipping. Ta Ann produces high value eucalypt products from this low-quality wood by using state-of-the-art peeling processes.
Ten Tasmanian finalists progressed to the national level by winning the respective state awards, including Australian Quality Honey Pty Ltd, Ta Ann Tasmania, The Learning Edge International Pty Ltd, Tasmania Distillery Pty Ltd, Dobson’s Vegetable Machinery Pty Ltd, Incat Holdings Ltd, Lightning Protection International Pty Ltd, The Hutchins School, Premier Travel Tasmania and Pivot Maritime International.
Congratulations to all our Tasmanian exporters.
The Hon Michael Aird MLC, Minister for Economic Development, with the Hon Simon Creen MP, Minister for Trade, congratulating the executives from Ta Ann Tasmania.
Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, the Hon Senator Kim Carr with Simon Kang, Director of Ta Ann Tasmania.
Click to view Media Release:
http://www.media.tas.gov.au/release.php?id=25490
Click to view full list of winners:
http://www.exportawards.gov.au/Winners/default.aspx
International Workboat 2008, New Orleans
3 – 5 December 2008
Once again a Tasmanian maritime delegation was led by the Export and Market Development team to exhibit at the International Workboat trade show in New Orleans. The aim of the visit was to leverage off the positive outcomes achieved at the 2007 trade show. It is the largest commercial marine trade show in North America with more than 1 000 companies displaying their products and services in 2008.
The Tasmanian businesses that exhibited at the Workboat show included Pivot Maritime International, Richardson Devine Marine, Colbeck & Gunton, Fiomarine Industries and Liferaft Systems Australia.
For more information please contact Martin Turmine on (03) 6233 5795 or email Martin.Turmine@development.tas.gov.au.
Ministerial Trade Mission to China and attendance at the 32nd Asian Racing Conference Tokyo 2008 (ARC Tokyo 2008)
A trade mission led by Minister Michael Aird visited China during November 2008 to explore possibilities for the Tasmanian thoroughbred industry and related suppliers to that industry. Participating enterprises were TOTE Tasmania (TOTE), Strathayr Turf Systems (Strathayr) and Lightning Protection International (LPI). The mission visited the cities of Wuhan, Fuzhou and Beijing and was assisted in the market by local Austrade representatives.
The purpose of the mission was to establish appropriate contact within the equine industry to ensure that the Tasmanian capabilities were known and to foster relationships for the future if and when China contemplates a regulated thoroughbred racing industry. Good contacts were established and participants have expressed the view that business opportunities will be presented over time.
Members of the Tasmanian delegation to the ARC Tokyo 2008 included: Michael Kent AM, Chairman of TOTE; Craig Coleman, Chief Executive Officer TOTE; Gary Lottering, Chief Racing Officer TOTE; Dennis Verrios, Manager Interactive Business TOTE; Brett Williams, TOTE; Bill Casimaty, Managing Director Strathayr; Gordon Allen, Executive Director Strathayr; Dr Andrew Clarke, Consultant Strathayr; Alwyn Shaw AM, Managing Director Acelands Stud; Gerry Bonner, Lead Engineer GA Bonner Consulting Engineers; and Rick Dunn, Economic Development Manager Meander Valley Council.
The purpose of the delegation was to participate as delegates to ARC Tokyo 2008 conference and to showcase Tasmania’s capabilities in the thoroughbred racing industry by exhibiting at the trade exhibition being held in conjunction with ARC Tokyo 2008.
The Tasmanian grouped trade exhibit showcased Strathayr, LPI, TOTE and inward investment opportunities in thoroughbred racing in Tasmania. The ARC Tokyo 2008 conference attracted over 850 delegates from around the world and it is estimated that by far the majority of delegates saw the Tasmanian exhibit with direct interest being strong.
For more information please contact George Chambers on (03) 6233 5639 or email George.Chambers@development.tas.gov.au
Export Practices Workshop, Launceston
A successful two-day workshop was held at the Tamar Valley Resort, Grindelwald on 18-19 November 2008 with 30 participants from more than 20 Tasmanian businesses. The workshop was delivered by the Australian Institute of Export and provided expert advice and information on exporting and logistics, international contracts and payments, marine insurance and currency risk management. Case studies were used to highlight some of the risks involved in exporting and advice was provided on practical risk management policies and processes.
For more information please contact Caleb Wright on (03) 6336 2263 or email Caleb.Wright@development.tas.gov.au
Whitebait & Kale Singapore Promotion
The Export and Market Development team supported the promotion of Tasmanian products at the Whitebait & Kale restaurant in Singapore, as well as a number of trade networking events. This was part of a two-month Tasmanian promotional series held during September and October 2008. Other events in the promotion included a media launch, Tasmanian seafood cooking classes, honey and cheese making, and a tutored beer tasting class.
The participating companies included Abalone Farms Australia, Ashgrove Cheese, Cressy Lamb, Australian Honey Products, Grandvewe Cheeses, J Boag & Son, Kreglinger Wine Estates, Lark Distillery, Marine Culture Oysters, Meadowbank Estate, Petuna Seafoods, Red Kellys Tasmania, Spring Bay Seafoods, Oysters Bay Oysters, Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company and Tassal Group Ltd.
As part of the visit and the Export Marketing Representation Scheme, promotional in-store activities for the attending Tasmanian companies were conducted at the NTUC Fairprice and Cold Storage supermarkets.
For more information please contact Ann Atkinson on (03) 6233 5838 or email Ann.Atkinson@development.tas.gov.au
ICT New Market Development mission
A new market development mission to Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam was organised by The Export and Market Development Unit in November. The mission was specifically designed for Tasmanian ICT companies looking at expanding into new export markets.
The three Tasmanian companies that participated in the mission included Autech Software and Design, The Learning Edge International and Etech Group International.
For more information please contact Mark Warrener on (03) 6233 5879 or email Mark.Warrener@development.tas.gov.au
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Mark Warrener, Project Manager Economic Development and Tourism and Mike Wierzbicki, Sales Manager, The Learning Edge International meet with staff at Assumption University in Thailand. |
Andrew Roberts, National Marketing and Export Manger and Darren Alexander, Chief Executive Officer Autech Software and Design with Suzie Chen of the Australian Business Centre, Taiwan. | |
The Fine Food Australia trade exhibition held in Melbourne from 22–25 September 2008 was attended by 11 Tasmanian companies. The Export and Market Development team coordinated the Tasmanian group and exposed participants to national and international buyers which gave them the opportunity to showcase their products to the 950 exhibitors and 23 840 visitors from Australia and overseas.
The participating Tasmanian companies included Cripps Nubake, Red Kellys Tasmania, Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Co, Swift Australia, Tasmanian Scallop Pie Company, Tasmanian Gourmet Kitchen, Mures, Hellyers Road Distillery, Tasmanian Honey Company, the Tasmanian Vegetable Group and Blue Hills Honey.
For more information please contact Fransina Barns on (03) 6233 5752 or email Fransina.Barns@development.tas.gov.au
Asian Stonefruit Market Access Trade Mission
The Export and Market Development team assisted Fruit Growers Tasmania to attend Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong on 10-12 September 2008, with the Tasmanian booth showcased as part of the Horticulture Australia Ltd initiative.
For more information please contact Mark Warrener on (03) 6233 5879 or email Mark.Warrener@development.tas.gov.au.
For more information please follow the link below:
Fruit Growers Newsletter September 2008 (Adobe PDF)
Choice Foods Thailand, a company that sources premium food and beverage products to the food service in Bangkok, extended an invitation for seven delegates to visit Tasmania in September 2008. The Export and Market Development team organised the delegates to meet with representatives from Lactos Pty Ltd, Tashimi Fish Pty Ltd, Aurora Produce, Spring Bay Seafoods Pty Ltd and Webster Fresh, to develop inward buyer relationships and promote Tasmanian exports overseas.
For more information please contact Kim McShane on (03) 6233 5828 or email Kim.McShane@development.tas.gov.au.
6–9 May 2009
Expressions of interest are currently being sought from Tasmanian food and beverage companies wishing to participate in a market development mission to coincide with the HOFEX Asian International Exhibition in Hong Kong. HOFEX is the focal show for regional and international exhibitors and buyers targeting the Asian markets and will provide opportunities for Tasmanian companies to develop relationships with premium food service distribution companies in Hong and Macau. For more information please contact Fransina Barns on (03) 6233 5752 or email Fransina.Barns@development.tas.gov.au
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The Export and Market Development team has once again secured ABS statistics on Tasmania’s export trade for the last financial year ending 30 June 2008. The statistics have been transformed into an easy to read format and is available on the department web site by clicking here.
India New Market Development Mission
A number of Tasmanian exporters are currently working with the Export and Market Development team to secure a spot in the new business-matching market development mission to India in March 2009. Interested businesses should contact Mark Warrener on (03) 6233 5879 or email Mark.Warrener@development.tas.gov.au.
6-7 April 2009
Expressions of interest are currently being sought from Tasmanian food and beverage companies wishing to participate in exhibiting at Restaurant 09 in Melbourne. This national trade show is aimed specifically at the owners and decision makers of Australia’s leading restaurants, cafes, hotel restaurants and bars. The owners, restaurateurs, head chefs, sommeliers, general manager and maitre d’s will be attending to source new and alternative suppliers to improve their business. For more information please contact Fransina Barns on (03) 6233 5752 or email Fransina.barns@development.tas.gov.au.
Industry News
According to the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC) Global Readiness Index, two of the biggest obstacles which Australian companies face when seeking to expand overseas, is the inadequate knowledge of overseas markets and lack of finance.
The past 12 months have shown tightening credit conditions which have seen EFIC providing loans and a range of medium to long-term finance and insurance services to help a number of Australian exporters.
Peter Field, Executive Director of origination and portfolio management says, “on the one hand, the tightening credit conditions and a lower risk tolerance in the global markets have resulted in an increase in opportunities for EFIC to assist Australian exporters, in particular for EFIC to provide loans directly. Generally, we expect an increase in demand for our services, but completed transactions will still rely, to an extent, on the involvement of banks.”
For more information click on the link below:
EFIC - Credit Crunch SME (MS Word)
Boost for Tasmanian Cherry exports to Japan
Tasmania’s premium cherries can now be exported to the valuable Japanese market, under an improved quarantine protocol which is expected to generate millions of additional export dollars. Japanese quarantine authorities have agreed to the new protocol after years of work by the Australian and Tasmanian governments and industry.
Tasmania has exported cherries to Japan for a number of years, however the new protocol will shorten the process as the cherries no longer need to undergo pre-export fumigation treatment.
For further information:
http://www.media.tas.gov.au/release.php?id=25445
Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement
Australia is considering participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership initiative seeking to expand the current agreement between Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore which entered into force in 2006. The agreement is a potential building block for greater trade liberalisation in the Asia-Pacific region. The first round of negotiations for an expanded Trans-Pacific Agreement is expected to be held in Singapore early in 2009.
For further information:
http://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/trans_pacific_partnership_agreement/index.html
Free trial advertising with Hong Kong Trade Development Council
Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s (HKTDC) Australia/NZ Office has launched a new service to help local businesses promote their products and services overseas by allowing businesses to advertise their products and services free-of-charge for six months on www.hktdc.com.
To take advantage of this offer, simply apply online on HKTDC’s website before the end of December 2008. For further enquiries on this offer and HKTDC Trade Fairs email Peter Bosevski from HKTDC on peter.bosevski@tdc.org.hk
Opportunities in Russia Growing rapidly
Australian exporters and investors are making strong inroads into the Russian market and there is considerable potential for further growth. Trade Minister, the Hon Simon Crean MP, co-chaired the second Australia-Russia Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Co-operation (JCTEC) with his Russian counterpart, Minister Aleksey Gordeyev. It was agreed to work together on bilateral agreements on investment and agricultural trade.
For further information:
http://www.trademinister.gov.au/releases/2008/sc_086.html
Australia-European Union Partnership Framework Launched
The Australia-European Union (EU) Partnership Framework, launched recently in Paris, is a major initiative committing Australia to work closely with the EU on a range of important global and regional challenges. These include climate change, energy and environmental issues, counter-terrorism, innovation and science. The importance of trade issues in the relationship is emphasised, including a shared commitment to concluding the Doha Round, recognising that the EU, as a bloc, is Australia’s largest trade and investment partner.
For further information:
http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2008/fa-s163_08.html
Liferaft Systems Australia wins big British contract
Tasmania’s Liferaft Systems Australia has won its biggest order yet – a $7 million British contract, allowing the company to supply 12 marine-evacuation systems to the British Ministry of Defence for use on two new aircraft carriers.
This is an outstanding achievement for the company considering its competitors are in based in Britain, Denmark and France. Managing Director Mike Grainer said the advantages of his company’s systems were weight and size, and speed of evacuation. No other system can evacuate close to 100 people in about three and a half minutes.
Liferaft Systems Mercury Article (Adobe PDF)Liferaft Systems Media Release (Adobe PDF)
Austal overcame tough competition from companies in the United States (US) to win the US Defence contract, estimated to be worth US$1.6 billion. It will design and build a Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) for the US Department of Justice’s shipbuilding program.
The company expects to commence construction on the first of these 103 metre vessels by the end of 2009, with options for a further nine vessels to be commissioned over the next five years.
Its JHSV design will be capable of transporting troops and their equipment, supporting humanitarian relief efforts, and can operate in shallow waters at speeds of more than 35 knots.
National Restaurant Association Show 2009, Chicago USA
16–19 May 2009
An excellent opportunity exists for companies to join the annual Australian National Pavilion at one of the largest food service tradeshows. The pavilion will showcase the best and most promising Australian foodservice products available for export into the US food service market.
For further information on attending and to download the event brochure visit:
www.austrade.gov.au/NRA09
Applications close 29 December 2008.
NRA Show 2009 (Adobe PDF)
Professional Development and Educational Opportunities
The Brand Lab – branding workshop
Two one-day workshops on how to build a brand will be held in early March 2009 and will be delivered by Brandbuilders. The workshops will advise and inform businesses how to build a sustainable competitive advantage through brand design and development. Participants will be coached in brand building through a range of hands-on exercises.
Dates and locations are:
- Tuesday 3 March 2009 – Launceston (Tramshed, Inveresk),
8.45am – 4.30pm - Tuesday 4 March 2009 – Hobart (Moorilla Estate, Berriedale),
8.45am – 4.30pm
For further information contact Caleb Wright on (03) 6336 2263 or email Caleb.Wright@development.tas.gov.au
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Do you want to Export? – exporting workshop
The Export and Market Development team is conducting a series of introductory workshops targeted at businesses interested in exporting. The Do You Want to Export? seminars will be held in Hobart and Launceston in March 2009. At the end of the workshop businesses will know if they are capable and ready for exporting.
Topics will include:
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why you might consider exporting
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how exporting differs from a domestic sales transaction
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a brief assessment of your product or service to determine if it is suitable for international markets
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what expertise and resources are required for exporting
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an overview of possible methods for exporting
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the next steps to become a sustainable exporter.
Dates and locations are:
- Tuesday 24 March 2009 – Hobart (Technopark, Glenorchy),
9.00am – 2.00pm - Tuesday 31 March 2009 – Launceston (Tramshed, Inveresk),
9.00am – 2.00pm.
For further information please contact Martin Turmine on (03) 6233 5795 or email Martin.Turmine@development.tas.gov.au or contact Caleb Wright on (03) 6336 2263 or email Caleb.Wright@development.tas.gov.au
View PDF registration forms:
Launceston (Adobe PDF)
Hobart (Adobe PDF)
Brief news and other opportunities
Recent Japanese media releases issued to the Department of Economic Development and Tourism include:
- Nippon Ham to Bolster Seafood Operations via Trading House Buyout Keytec Imports Tasmanian Eucalyptus Veneer
- Renewal of SNS Specialising in Australia
- Marubeni Boosts Interest in Australian Coal Mine
- Australian Beef Price Dropping Thanks to Stronger Yen, Weaker A$
- Japan and Australia divided over sugar
- Strong Yen Makes Kirin’s Australian Takeover 30% Cheaper
- Australian Coca-Cola Unit Turns Down Kirin’s Takeover Offer
- Australian Beef Price Goes Down by 6%
- Japanese to Enjoy Fresh Australian Cherries.
The Austrade Suppliers Database provides information on Australian suppliers across all industry sectors and can be accessed at:
http://www.austrade.gov.au/ASD/default.aspx
Summary Calendar of Events
2009
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Event |
Dates |
Contact |
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Australasian Oil and Gas - Perth |
17-19 February 2009 |
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India New Market Development Mission |
March 2009 |
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The Brand Lab - Launceston |
3 March 2009 |
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The Brand Lab - Hobart |
4 March 2009 |
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Do You Want to Export Workshop - Hobart |
24 March 2009 |
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Do You Want to Export Workshop - Launceston |
31 March 2009 |
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Restaurant 2009 - Melbourne |
6-7 April 2009 |
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HOFEX 2009 – Hong Kong |
6-9 May 2009 |
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Savour Tasmania (Culinary Event) |
May 2009 |
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If you have any Export and Market Development queries please contact George Chambers on (03) 6233 5639 or email George.Chambers@development.tas.gov.au. If you wish to subscribe to ExportActive please send an email to export@development.tas.gov.au with the words "ExportActive Newsletter Subscription" in the subject heading. If you no longer wish to receive ExportActive please send an email to export@development.tas.gov.au with the words "ExportActve Un-subscribe" in the subject heading. | |||
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