NSW Export Award Event – ASEAN Focus – Laos, Thailand, Vietnam

Being part of a supportive global trading community matters now more than ever.

As part of the NSW Premier’s Export Awards, the Export Council of Australia has been hosting a series of small-group luncheons. A key aim has been our desire to continue to celebrate exporter’s hard work and achievements.

We are so glad to learn that participants have enjoyed these luncheons. They told us that they especially valued the new connections made, which some leading immediately to commercial partnerships and exports to new markets.

With our principal partner, Investment NSW, last week at the Four Seasons hotel in Sydney, we held another such event, with special guests from the diplomatic missions of Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Their presence reflected our theme this year on ASEAN.

They highlighted the opportunities for growth in two-way trade and investment with Australia, including in industries such as green energy and tech, food and beverage, healthcare, and education.

Our guest exporters shared extraordinary stories of their journeys, including:

• How a health treatment for their grandmother became a foundation for a growing international business
• That bringing Australian top-level education to the modest section of communities in partner countries can be profitable
• Even in an extremely competitive segment, a fintech start-up can grow market share quickly
• A reminder that playing the long game means resilience and a remarkable bounce-back from a severe demand downturn during Covid
• A well-recognised and established Australian brand can still be a new player on global markets.

These gatherings have reminded us of how important it is to engage regularly with peers – not just in the context of establishing new contacts, but in terms of meaningful interchange of views and ideas. Of sharing insights and giving back. It is about being part of a community. We enjoyed it so much, we intend to organise more.

We send our special thanks to:

• Mr. Nguyen Phu Hoa – Trade Commissioner of Viet Nam to Australia
• Ms. Hataya KHUSAKUL – Consul General of Royal Thai Consulate-General
• Mr. Kanya Khammoungkhoun – Minister Counselor, Deputy Chief of mission of Embassy of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic
• Ms. Tania Panagoda – Team leader for the ASEAN NSW government
• Mr. Michael Reznikov – State Director of Export Finance Australia (EFA)
• Mr. Ben Rose – Senior Corporate FX Specialist of Xe.com

We very much appreciate the business representatives that joined, and invite your ongoing involvement in ECA activities:

Vincent Candrawinata, Cindy Hurley Leister, Craig Shepherd, Christian Young, Cynthia Dearin GAICD, Leon Skaliotis, Jacqueline Hutton, Scott Nolan, Danko Tran (Danko CockatooAdventures), Christine VU, Allan Nguyen, Kala Philip (MAICD, GAICD), Steven Hudson, Ferdy Bong, Shelly Bengiat, Ayushi, Alison. L., Dianne Tipping, Arnold Jorge, My Nguyen.

NSW Export Award Event – Indigenous Exporters

Australian First Nations entrepreneurs are pursuing global markets with grit and ingenuity.

And with the right support can excel to new heights.

This was the conclusion at a roundtable discussion on the challenges and opportunities of exporting.

Supply Nation and Export Council of Australia were proud to have hosted this dialogue, which included Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses, and government agencies.

Notable issues raised included:

• Lack of resources and expertise within firms, including staff and finance, are constraining growth
• There are many government and private sector assistance programs, but awareness of them needs improvement, and gaps remain in required services
• There may be value in developing a common shopfront or a general store (brick-and-mortar and online) for Indigenous products
• Successful non-Indigenous exporters are willing to partner with Indigenous businesses to facilitate their international sales
• First Nations businesses should participate in export awards to build connections and profile
• Australia’s global brand should be underpinned by First Nations stories and further promoted
• Exporting is a means for Indigenous businesses to achieve sustained growth.

The discussion culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Supply Nation and Export Council of Australia.  It signals the commitment of both parties to assisting Indigenous businesses to succeed in global trade.

We thank all participants of the forum and look forward to your continued engagement and collaboration.

Charys Caldarella; Chris Rees FAICD; Connie Jarrett; Corey Grech; David Vu; Jenny Khan; Jeff Cottee; Julie Okely; Kate Russell; Krystal Doyle; Maryanne Jarrett; Monika Goyal; Nicoline van Cann; Nicole Steinweg; Shane Rizkallah; Trudy Hart; Arnold Jorge; Dianne Tipping; Stefanie Harter; Angela Wright; My Nguyen

NSW Export Award Event – ASEAN Focus – Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia

Australian exporters continue to be positive about the prospects of opportunities in South-East Asia.

In a roundtable discussion last week, exporters conveyed to us (Export Council of Australia) that they are looking to expand their operations in South-East Asian markets, as part of their diversification strategies.

They view South-East Asian consumers and businesses as increasing in wealth and sophistication, including being digitally savvy in support of e-commerce and digital trade.

However, doing business in the region has their challenges, due to differences in culture, industry structure, and regulations.  So, exporters emphasised the importance of prior research and visiting the markets.

Other issues raised during the discussion, included the need for suitable trade finance, support for export marketing investments, and building on Australia’s brand.

We would like to give a special thanks the participation of:

• Ms. Putpisey Cheam – Trade attaché of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia
• Ms. Noraisyah Nordin – Director/ Consul-Investment of Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)
• Ms. Tania Panagoda – Team leader for the ASEAN NSW government (Investment NSW)
• Mr. Michael Reznikov – State Director of Export Finance Australia (EFA)

We appreciate our friends who participated in the discussion, and encourage ongoing engagement with you on all matters of global trade.

Yoshinori Sakuno; David Aldridge; Marisa Mastroianni; Peter Janu; James F.; Aditya Jhunjhunwala ; Christian Young; Sharon Lee; Mark Subaih; Dean Feng; Yvette Knapp; Vincent Candrawinata; Brian Young; Eric LIU; Alex Fan; Eduardo Yudowski; Hung Nguyen; Meng Zhang; John Adams; Dianne Tipping; Zoe Neilsen; My Nguyen.

Agricultural Traceability Roundtable (Amsterdam, Netherlands, Brussels, Belgium)

Are there opportunities for future collaboration and constructive dialogue on agricultural trade between Australia and the European Union?

Yes, based on in-person talks between Australian business representatives and their European counterparts in Amsterdam and Brussels.

Export Council of Australia, Australia’s Minister-Counsellor (Agriculture) in Brussels, and Australian industry representatives, including from the grains, cattle and wool industries, met recently with European private sector and EC officials.

The roundtable discussions focussed on how traceability could facilitate trade of agricultural products (specifically food and fibre).

Australia highlighted our ongoing enhancement of our traceability systems to support the quality, safety and environmental claims in our agricultural exports.

We also noted that while such efforts can help meet EU regulations, we looked to the EU to ensure these standards do not inadvertently act to impede trade.

The European response was encouraging.  ECA officials helpfully explained the administrative processes involved in meeting regulations such as the EU General Food Law, Life Cycle Assessment and Product Environmental Footprint, Novel Food Regulation, Organic Certification, and Geographical Indications.

Both European private and public sector contacts noted that there are ways to navigate the regulatory landscape, and are willing to explore ways to assist Australia improve its understanding and managing of the EU’s administrative processes.

We look forward to building on this engagement, especially through the mechanism of agricultural traceability.  We thank our Australian and European friends involved in the agricultural traceability discussions.

Peter Creaser; Wim Verstraaten; Nicolas Guth; Rafael Perez Berbejal; Monika Turek; Elizabeth Guttenstein; Mauro CORDELLA; Knut Ruetters; Antonia Loncar; Matthew East; Dolores N.; Mark Scott; Denni Francisco; Olivier DUGARDYN; Esra Zorer; Lorna James; Stefanie Behrendt; Jacob Davidson; Katelyn Lubcke; Emma Boughen; Barry Large; Robin Cornelius; Tony Tonnaer; Tiago Torrin Itoh Viergever; Olexander Horin; Arnold Jorge; Stefanie Harter

Symposium on Agricultural Traceability in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

It was a great day in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia!

The Export Council of Australia successfully held a symposium on agricultural traceability with Australian and Saudi delegates from business and government. Moderated by Arnold Jorge and Angela Wright, the symposium involved key Saudi agencies including the Ministry for Environment, Water and Agriculture (وزارة البيئة والمياه والزراعة), and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA – هيئة الغذاء والدواء).

In our brief time here, it became obvious to us that Saudi Arabia’s economic modernisation is accelerating. This presents a major opportunity for Australian organisations to do business in the country.

During the dialogue, we exchanged insights on best practices relating to food safety and environmental sustainability.

We welcome the expression of interest from our Saudi counterparts to further international collaboration on global traceability.

There was also a strong desire to build on the bilateral trading relationship between the two countries on a range of products.

We followed the event with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the ECA and Australian Saudi Business Forum, demonstrating our commitment to doing more in this part of the world.

Our appreciation goes to the Australian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Mark Donovan, for opening the event. And thanks to Sammi Hosseini, Counsellor (Agriculture) at the Australian Embassy in Riyadh, as well as Sam Jamsheedi and Daniel Jamsheedi from the Australian Saudi Business Forum for their support of the event.

We thank the Australian delegation that accompanied us including:

• Ms Carolyn Suggate – Founder & Director, Organic & Regenerative Investment Co-operative (ORICoop)
• Mr Damon Holmes – Business Development Manager – Middle East & North Africa, Meat & Livestock Australia
• Ms Dalene Wray AM Wray – Managing Director, OBE Organic®Australian Beef
• Mr Luke Wood – CEO, Escavox
• Ms Natalie Bussau – Founder / Director, Australian Wildflower
• Mr Manujith Samantha (Sam) – International Sales and Category Manager, The Avolution
• Ms Sharon Winsor – Founder, Indigiearth

We appreciate the support of Australian trade commissioners and officials including Todd Miller, Aziz Saba,MBA, Leah Arnold-Phillips, and Moin Anwar.

2-Day Export Ready Workshop in Perth

Last week, the Export Council of Australia and the ASEAN Business Alliance delivered a 2-Day Export Ready Workshop in Perth.

We covered a diverse range of topics, such as market selection, logistics, pricing, market entry strategies, branding, cultural competence, available government assistance, and pitching for success.

Thank you to our keynote speakers:

• Mr. Arnold Jorge – Export Council of Australia (ECA)
• Dr. Sandy Chong – Verity Consulting
• Ms. Stefanie Harter – Export Council of Australia (ECA)
• Mr. James McCrone – Mainfreight
• Mr. Bindhu Holavanahalli – Wrays | Intellectual Property
• Mr. Matthew Braysher and Tim Houghton – Commonwealth Bank
• Mr. Brad Gosling– Export Finance Australia

Each session provided invaluable insights and practical tips.

We thank the businesses who attended the course: Daniel Morris; Asia Pacific Legal ; Brian Liau; Granich Partners; MoxiblockSunscreen Australia; Alice Chang ; Golden Road Australia; Ashley Maung; Win Win Trading; Tim Milson; Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI); Ko Ko Aung; MBC.WA – Myanmar Business Council of Australia; Agata Dharma; Townsend Capital, LLC; Charisse Santiago; City of Cockburn; Michelle Quartermaine (Jennick); Noongar Land Enterprise Group.

We wish you well in your exporting endeavours!

Sydney Build Expo 2024

We are pleased to have sponsored and participated in the Sydney Build Expo 2024. It was a massive and successful event! Thanks to the organisers for a job well done!

Our CEO,Arnold Jorge, presented and convened a panel discussion on: “Export Opportunities for Innovative Australian Products and Services: Applying Strategic Orchestration to Successful Market Entry.”

Our expert panel of James Pearce from Populous; Sam Al Maraee from SAAD Consulting Engineers; and Garry Simonian from Platinum Property Advisors shared valuable insights on their successful global ventures.

Key takeaways from the discussion included the importance of:

• identifying and mitigating risks;
• exploring opportunities in developed and emerging markets such as the US, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia;
• building strong relationships with partners and stakeholders;
• positioning through the right pricing; and
• considering a range of market entry methods, including localisation of products and services.

If you wish to know more about strategic orchestration as a means to expand your global footprint, don’t hesitate to contact ECA at info@export.org.au.

Commercial Opportunities in Georgia

Last week, we (the Georgian Embassy to Australia and Export Council of Australia) hosted a roundtable discussion between the Georgian Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Beka Dvali, and Australian manufacturing and technology companies. It was a stimulating and thought-provoking discussion.

Key takeaways from the dialogue included:

• Georgia is looking to diversify its economy, including it trade partners, in response to changing global conditions
• Georgia’s economy is modernising and powering along, experiencing double-digit growth in recent years
• Georgia has implemented a series of business-friendly policies, enticing enterprises with streamlined processes and conducive regulatory frameworks
• Georgia is seeking to be an entry point for Eastern Europe.

If you are interested in exploring potential market opportunities in Georgia, please reach out to us via info@export.org.au.

Thank you Ambassador Dvali, and Trade Counsellor, Mikheil Patashuri, for your insights and advice in doing business in the region. The Georgian wines were a hit, and facilitated the frank interchange.

We would like to thank everyone who joined the roundtable discussion including: Colm Flanagan; Eduardo Yudowski; Sam Al Maraee; AES Environmental; tna solutions Pty Ltd.; Arman Soltani; Rustom Kanga; Arnold Jorge; Dianne Tipping; Stefanie Harter