Twelve South Australian companies have shared in more than $340,000 of funding under the first round of the State Government’s new Export Partnership Program.

Minister for Investment and Trade Martin Hamilton-Smith said there has been a resounding response from South Australian exporters with 48 fully completed applications received in this first round alone.

“This indicates a healthy appetite from South Australian businesses to explore global markets,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

“Under the Export Partnership Program, current and aspiring exporters can apply for funding up to $50,000 to pursue international market development.

“The 12 successful recipients will use this funding to grow their knowledge and export capabilities through coaching, training, market intelligence, and also to execute planned activities overseas to market their products.

“Given the high level of interest in the new program, the first round was extremely competitive, and I congratulate the successful companies on putting forward strong business cases to gain assistance in pursuing global opportunities.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Rossi Boots, Myron Mann, said his team was delighted to have been successful in its application for Export Partnership Program funding.

“We see export as an integral part of our future and this grant will accelerate our plans to pursue markets such as New Zealand and Canada,” Mr Mann said.

“To develop new markets it is essential to understand them, this grant will enable us to have specific research conducted. It will also enable the creation of marketing materials specific to the country and to be able to participate in selected trade shows to showcase our products.

“It is a great initiative by the State Government and we are determined to make our state proud.”

Mr Hamilton-Smith said he expects the high level of interest in the program will continue and is likely to increase with an active calendar of ministerial trade missions in 2015.

“The government will lead business missions to India and South East Asia during August where we’ll be accompanied by a number of South Australian sectors looking to build their presence in these important markets,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.
“This is part of a targeted strategy by the South Australian Government to support exporters through facilitation services, diplomacy, awareness raising and critical funding to address the cost of export marketing activities.”

“A number of sectors stand to benefit from the new grants, including aerospace, creative industries, food and wine and services.

“Markets being pursued for a diverse range of proposed activities include China, India, South East Asia, Europe, Africa and North America.”

“Companies that missed the deadline or were not successful in the first round were still able to apply for round two, which has recently closed.

For more information and to apply, visit www.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/epp
   

Round one recipients                                                                  Funding awarded