Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show only about 40,000 small businesses actually export anything and most export less than $100,000 a year, so Drum says they are “minnows in a gigantic market” and more can be done.
“The government needs to assist businesses to think that export is a viable option and it needs to encourage small business to think outside their comfort zone,” he says.
“They really need encouragement to build relationships and networks and get into markets.”
Trade Minister Craig Emerson said Austrade, the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation, the Export Market Development Grants scheme and Australia’s diplomatic efforts will all be concentrated more heavily on Asia following the release of the white paper.
Willox said AIG welcomed a re-orientation of Australia’s official trade and investment promotion and our diplomatic efforts so they have a greater emphasis on Asian opportunities in the Asian Century.
“Greater commitments will certainly assist businesses in their endeavours to create more extensive links into the Asian region,” Willox said.
“At the same time, however, we must not neglect other markets and opportunities, whether they be with our more familiar partners in North America, Europe and the Pacific or with areas where we do not currently have a strong focus such as Central and South America and Africa.”
“By 2025, Australia will have an innovation system, in the top 10 globally, that supports excellence and dynamism in business with a creative problem-solving culture that enhances evolving areas of strength and attracts top researchers, companies and global partners,” the white paper states.
Willox said greater collaboration is needed between business and the research sector to reach this goal.
“We look forward to the foreshadowed Industry and Innovation Statement and the steps it proposes to address the very low levels of collaboration between business and the research sector,” he said.
