Network of 40 peak industry bodies will work with government to jointly deliver activities that support Australian exporters
The Australian government has announced the members of a new Trade Diversification Network designed to combine the resources of industry and government to help exporters diversify and grow into new markets.
The multi-sector network consists of 40 peak industry bodies, including Ausveg, Australian Table Grape Association (ATGA), Almond Board of Australia, Australian Macadamia Society, Australian Walnut Industry Association, National Farmers Federation and more.
The Network will work with government, as part of its A$50m, Accessing New Markets Initiative (ANMI), to identify and develop tailored activities such as trade missions, training and showcases to facilitate export diversification, enabling businesses to target and take advantage of emerging opportunities around the world.
This will see Austrade’s global network and the insights and capabilities of peak bodies combined to help ensure Australian businesses are best positioned to take advantage of global growth opportunities and strengthen resilience.
“Australia is a trading nation and we want to see more Australian exporters doing more trade with new and emerging partners across the globe in places like the Middle East and South-East Asia,” said federal minister for trade and tourism Don Farrell
“The Trade Diversification Network is a great example of government and industry working together to achieve a common goal: seeing Australian businesses diversify, grow, and build resilience.
“With one in four Australian jobs connected to trade, by helping our exporters we are securing jobs, building communities, and benefiting the Australian economy.”
Ausveg CEO Michael Coote said the announcement of the TDN is a welcome step towards encouraging further export development activities, initiatives and diversification across the Australian vegetable industry, which exports around 200,000 tonnes of fresh produce annually.
“Ausveg welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Trade Diversification Network through Austrade with a view to unlocking and developing new export business opportunities and markets for Australian vegetable growers under this government initiative,” said Coote.
“Developing international trade opportunities for growers in the Australian vegetable industry has remained a longstanding priority for Ausveg for more than a decade, and in light of current domestic business and operating pressures facing Australian vegetable growers, the need to diversify is more important than ever.
“Ausveg’s participation in the Trade Diversification Network is a significant opportunity to build on our already-strong partnership with Austrade and will complement our existing export development programme delivered in partnership with Hort Innovation. This welcome development will deliver material benefits to Australian vegetable exporters and contribute to the long-term viability of Australia’s vegetable industry.”
