Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, has announced more than $11 million in grants to improve market access for small exporters of dairy, meat, egg, fish, horticulture and grain products.
Minister Joyce said the grants programme delivers on the Coalition Government’s election commitment to support small exporters through its $15 million, four-year Package Assisting Small Exporters.
“If you have a big idea for a project to improve market access for small exporters, we want to hear from you. I have asked the Government–Industry Consultative Committees to assess project proposals and make a recommendation to me about those projects that will provide the most significant and direct benefits in improving market access for small exporters,” Minister Joyce said.
Grants can fund information workshops for exporters, used to develop strategies and niche products to meet the preferences of overseas markets or to fund research to develop new treatments or processing methods that reduce the cost of meeting importing country requirements.
“I strongly encourage those with ideas to take advantage of this opportunity to improve our competitiveness in the international marketplace. Projects funded through matched industry funds are ideal for this initiative.
“We have already seen a positive response to the rebate component of the Package Assisting Small Exporters, with more than 600 small exporters receiving a rebate on their export registration charges.
“I anticipate the grant component of the package will also see a strong response and assist small exporters keen to grow their businesses and their market access.
“This grants program will help small exporters to capitalise on the opportunities secured by the historic free-trade agreements, and will promote the competitiveness and profitability of our small exporters by improving their access to overseas markets,” Minister Joyce said.
Applications close 5 pm AEST, 30 April 2015. Program guidelines, including selection criteria and application details, can be found on the Department of Agriculture website at agriculture.gov.au/package-assisting-small-exporters.
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