South Australian exporters are being urged to continue engaging with the multi-million dollar Middle Eastern market and to resist misinformed consumer bullying.

The Minister for Investment and Trade said he was disappointed to hear that The Fleurieu Milk and Yogurt Company had been bullied on social media into pulling out of a lucrative supply contract with Emirates, because of paying a small fee for a Halal certification.

“I encourage South Australian exporters to put enterprise and job opportunities ahead of the extreme views of a minority,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

“We need to continue building relationships with the Middle Eastern markets and broader Muslim community.

“South Australia is well placed to benefit from the growing appetite of the global Muslim community – because we are leaders in the supply of premium natural products and the preparation of food.

“Over the past 12 months to September, South Australian businesses exported $839 million worth of goods to the Middle East.

“South Australia’s global meat exports exceed $1 billion and a large portion of that was to the Middle East – the region is an incredibly important trading partner.

“The Fleurieu Milk and Yogurt Company has been operating for eight years and has forged a reputation for producing a premium natural product – it should be rewarded not ridiculed.

“Prejudice has no place in Australia. One of our key friends and trading partners Indonesia is the largest Islamic country in the world – we should embrace these opportunities rather than exclude them,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

Next year Mr Hamilton-Smith will lead a trade delegation to the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East and North Africa region.

“I encourage any business or company experiencing this sort of bullying to contact the Department of State Development. Our TradeStart advisors are available to support your engagement with international markets.”