Category: Members Updates

AMGC Connect – Industrial Transformation Australia 2025

Export Council of Australia at AMGC Connect – Industrial Transformation Australia 2025.

Last week, the Export Council of Australia was proud to participate in the AMGC Connect Program at Industrial Transformation Australia 2025, a vibrant showcase highlighting the future of Australian manufacturing.

Our CEO Arnold Jorge, and Senior Manager – Export Capability, Stefanie Harter led a comprehensive 3-hour Export Readiness Workshop, providing manufacturers with practical tools and valuable insights to expand their products onto the global stage.

From packaging solutions to electric vehicles, sustainable construction materials, and health and wellbeing innovations, the event united innovators, researchers, and advanced manufacturers who are driving Australia’s next wave of industries. It was an excellent opportunity for ECA to engage with progressive businesses and reaffirm our dedication to supporting them in navigating international markets.

We sincerely thank Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre Ltd for creating such an inspiring platform. Connecting with local manufacturers and assisting their journey from local to global remains a true privilege.

At ECA, we are committed to building export capability from the ground up and look forward to continuing to champion Australian manufacturing excellence worldwide.

Strengthening Indigenous Entrepreneurship in the Philippines

We recently delivered a two-day export readiness workshop in Manila, bringing together 15 Indigenous entrepreneurs and community leaders from various tribes across the Philippines. They represented products including traditional handicrafts, fashion, and skincare to agricultural goods such as banana chips, coconut products, and abaca fibre.

ECA’s Arnold Jorge and Angela Wright were joined by Australian First Nations entrepreneur, Oral McGuire of Noongar Land Enterprise Group, who shared his vast experience with participants and explored collaborative opportunities between Australia and the Philippines.

Funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the workshop was supported by host economy officials and speakers from the Department of Trade and Industry Export Marketing Bureau, Bianca Sykimte and Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, Brigitte da Costa-Villaluz. Guest speakers also included Airspeed, the International Trade Centre, Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) and NCIP.

Indigenous participants gained practical skills and insights to take their businesses global. Workshop topics included:

• Export market opportunity analysis: participants explored demand for their unique products and adjustments for international markets
• Export registration & processes: including how to navigate regulatory systems
• Intellectual property (IP) protection: safeguarding product design and traditional knowledge from misuse or exploitation
• Understanding international payments: including financial literacy for business, and cross-border transactions
• Pitching & storytelling: sharing cultural narratives and business visions in compelling ways
• Alternative business models: brainstorming new approaches to current business models including ‘razor and blades’
• Women and leadership: recognising the contribution Indigenous women make in their communities, and the importance of economic empowerment.

The workshop helped participants build confidence and think in new ways about entering global markets. The practical format allowing robust discussions fostered meaningful connections amongst speakers and peers, paving the way for future collaboration.

The two days concluded with a certificate ceremony and remarks from Luisa Rust, Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner at the Australian Embassy in Manila, and Undersecretary Ceferino ‘Perry’ Rodolfo, head of Industry Development and Investment Promotions Group.

We look forward to further supporting Indigenous exports from the Philippines.

ECA attends ACT Export Day

We left the ACT Exporting Day feeling energised after meeting top businesses including Cypher Brewing Co, HiveIQ, Department 13, Saab, L3Harris Technologies, Mainfreight, Moulis Legal, and many more. The forum brought together passionate entrepreneurs and business leaders who generously shared their experiences, challenges, and strategies for growth.
At the Export Council of Australia, we believe that exporting isn’t just about products crossing borders—it’s about relationships, resilience, and continuous learning. Our CEO, Arnold Jorge, along with Stefanie Harter and My Nguyen, were pleased to represent ECA at the event, and connecting with businesses eager to enhance their global engagement.

Key reminders from the day? Persistence is key, foster genuine relationships, continue to invest in research, and tap into foreign government missions located in Canberra — these principles apply whether you’re making your first international sale or scaling up in new markets.

A huge thank you to the ACT Government, Brendan Smyth, and Matt Heffernan for creating a space where these important conversations can thrive. We’re excited to continue supporting ACT businesses as they explore new opportunities abroad.

Kansas State University Visit

Always great to connect with the next generation of leaders!

On Monday, we gladly welcomed professors and Master students from Kansas State University for a discussion on the Australian market and Australia’s trade with the world.

The conversation touched on a variety of issues complementing academic studies with real world business examples and practical approaches.

We discussed e-commerce and navigating cross-border regulations, capital-raising especially through the private market, planning techniques for global uncertainty, and strategic partnerships and networks.

The participating students demonstrated their acumen with incisive questions and comments. We look forward to staying connected with you.

A big thank you to the Sydney Stock Exchange (SSX) for hosting, and to our keynote speakers Sara Cheng from China&Beyond, and Marcus Ritchie from FloatX, for sharing valuable insights.

All the best for the remainder of your study tour in Australia. We commend the leadership of Professors Brett Wilkinson and Amy Hageman!

Selling your Goods through e-Commerce in China Event in Sydney

Today’s session with NSW exporters highlighted that when it comes to e-commerce opportunities in China, success doesn’t happen overnight. You need a robust strategy from the beginning, along with commitment and flexibility, and the right market intelligence.

Key takeaways from the insightful discussion with our CEO Arnold Jorge, Sara Cheng of China and Beyond, and Duo (Doris) Yang of WorldFirst included:

• The majority of imported goods sold in China are through online channels.
• Chinese consumers are drawn to goods with proven benefits and unique features (you may be surprised by what is considered unique about your product – a market expert can help you assess).
• Choose the right e-commerce channels and communicate your official accounts so that consumers know where they can buy your products.
• It is essential to register your trademark, logo, and create a brand name in Chinese that resonates with your offering.
• Check that your product packaging, brand messaging and sizing is appropriate for the market.
• Allow time to ensure you meet regulatory regulations – product registration may vary depending on your product type.
• There are a range of Chinese consumer behaviours such as leveraging technology for purchasing e.g. AI-led decision making, and buying trial size products before committing to full sized products.
• There are regular key promotional periods in China, so your marketing will need to be tailored for annual events and promotions.
• Consumers are savvy when it comes to pricing, so make sure that your online price in China is reasonably comparable to your domestic pricing.
• Be patient, ready to adapt and commit to a long-term strategy.

Advance Export Program

As part of our commitment to inclusive trade, we were delighted to support Supply Nation and EY to deliver training for First Nations businesses to enhance their global trade success.

Discussions on the first day included effective customer research and engagement, business model innovation, brand management, and Incoterms.

Thank you to Supply Nation, EY, doq®, FR8WISE, and all the participants.

Sydney Build Expo 2025

We (Export Council of Australia) are proud to have sponsored the International Construction Stage at the Sydney Build Expo 2025. The Stage provided the platform for discussions among business representatives in the construction, engineering, design, and energy industries.

A range of topics were covered including cross-border partnerships, access to reliable workforce, application of sustainable materials, environmental design, and government assistance. We appreciated the trade partner countries/ jurisdictions that participated in the discussions, such as Austria, Philippines, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Hungary, UAE, Hong Kong, Latvia, Indonesia, Brazil and Vietnam.

We are pleased to have facilitated the sharing of insights and potential future collaboration at a global scale. Please do not hesitate to contact ECA (info@export.org.au) if you have any questions or wish to connect with others in Australia and beyond.

2025 NSW Export Awards Launch at NSW Parliament House

The 2025 NSW Export Awards were launched at NSW Parliament House last evening.

Minister for Industry and Trade, and Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, The Hon. Anoulack Chanthivong MP launched the awards.

In attendance were more than 70 exporters from all areas of trade including creative arts, health, technology, manufacturing, services, agriculture and many more sectors.

The event also acknowledged the 2024 NSW Export Award winners as well as the finalists for the previous years’ awards: https://lnkd.in/gqMUBm7m

The Minister highlighted the depth and breadth of NSW exporters and encouraged all exporters to apply for the 2025 Awards.

📸 View the highlights of this event through the media link: https://lnkd.in/ggAEw3EM

We remind everyone that the Awards Portal 2025 is now open: https://lnkd.in/g5vRiTya

Almond and Agricultural Traceability

Over the past fortnight Export Council of Australia led a delegation of Malaysian and Australian business leaders through regional Australia as part of an exciting traceability pilot funded by Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

We were joined by several award-winning businesses including The Model Cook Pty Ltd, Miss Coco / Alba Chocolatiers, and First Nations owned award winning Chocolate On Purpose. From visiting the Circle and Haigh’s in Adelaide, Kaurna country to a family farm, a Smart Farm, to large cutting-edge production and processing facilities farms across Loxton, Renmark, Meru, Mildura, Latje Latje and through the Wadi Wadi and Wemba Wemba areas near Swan Hill, we saw traceability and innovation approaches in action.

Highlights of the site visits included:

• Chocolate and almond variety information and sampling
• Innovative and family farms with solar panels, diverse sustainability solutions, smart farming methods and planting techniques to reduce water consumption or improve soil health.
• Advanced processing facilities with automation and traceability technology.

Thanks to the support of Agriculture Victoria, the farmers, processors, production facility operators, and delegates who shared knowledge and expertise to elevate food traceability awareness and action.

Early findings from the project highlights that traceability of Australian almond exports can help strengthen supply chain partnerships with Malaysia. And traceability can empower small scale almond producers seeking to engage directly in global trade, and amplify stories of First Nations and sustainability.