Opportunities for small business in export markets and the State Tax Review were the focus of the Small Business Roundtable, which convened for the third time at Parliament House today.

Investment and Trade Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith said the Roundtable was established in
2014 to improve communication between Government and the small business community.

It is co-chaired by Mr Hamilton Smith and Minister for Small Business Tom Koutsantonis.

“Small businesses are a key driver of successful economies, creating jobs, attracting investment and shaping our city and regions,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

“These quarterly meetings facilitate ongoing discourse to discuss key policy items of interest for the small business sector.

“Today’s meeting was a great opportunity to highlight the range of Government programs in
place that can assist businesses trying to enter international markets.

“We talked in detail about the State Government’s recently launched Export Partnership
Program and what this means for the small business sector.

“The Export Partnership Program provides funding assistance for small and medium-sized businesses to access new global markets through marketing and export development opportunities.

“Under the Program, aspiring exporters can apply for funding to help with coaching, training, market intelligence and mentoring to assess export suitability.

“The Government also offers the TradeStart Program which is a package of free services to assist SMEs to develop overseas markets, which our Government offers in partnership with Austrade.

“Under the TradeStart Program, export advisers are employed to deliver services to new and existing exporters. They help companies from all sectors access and scope trade opportunities in all international markets.

“These support programs form part of the global business platform the South Australian
Government is developing through its international connections and engagement strategies.”

Treasurer and Small Business Minister Tom Koutsantonis took the opportunity to discuss the State Government’s State Tax Review Discussion Paper and encourage submissions from the Roundtable representatives.

“The State Tax Review raises a number of reform options and ideas which would affect small businesses from abolishing conveyance duties and levying land tax based on per square metre value of land to changes to payroll tax,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

“We want to hear from small business leaders about how to achieve competitive, sustainable and fair tax reform, which would drive economic activity and create jobs.”

Today’s Roundtable followed last week’s Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) function on the State Tax Review and Monday’s State Tax Review Seminar at the Hilton Adelaide where Mr Koutsantonis and Deloitte’s leading economist Chris Richardson spoke to industry leaders about business tax reform options.

Mr Koutsantonis will also hold three regional forums in the coming weeks.

For more information on the State Tax Review, or to lodge a submission online, visit the
YourSAy website www.yoursay.sa.gov.au

Submissions can also be lodged via mail: Department of Treasury and Finance, State Tax Review, GPO, Box 1045, ADELAIDE, SA 5001 or hand delivered: Department of Treasury and Finance, State Tax Review, 200 Victoria Square, Adelaide, SA, 5000. Submissions close Friday, April 10.

For more information on South Australian trade and exports, visit www.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/investment/trade