Round two of the small and medium enterprises Export Hubs initiative is now open.
The initiative supports industry to coalesce around resources in local and regional areas, with the aim to access international markets and drive the growth of jobs. The funding goes towards not-for-profit organisations which can support the establishment or operation of a new or existing export hub.
Each hub, in the advanced manufacturing, cyber security, food and agribusiness, medical technologies and pharmaceuticals, mining equipment and services, and oil, gas, and energy resources sectors, can apply for matched funding of between $150,000 and $1.5 million for projects lasting up to two years and five months. Projects must wind up by June 30, 2022.
With nine export hubs created in the first round, after $5.7 million in funding was awarded, the second round hopes to build upon these successes.
“Export hubs provide local businesses with market intelligence about export opportunities and access to global supply chains that align with the competitive strengths of the local area,” said Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews.
According to Minister Andrews, these hubs will be able to build upon bilateral treaties for business growth.
“The initiative builds business networks to help small and medium businesses harness opportunities in international markets, particularly where the Government has signed free trade agreements including in China, Japan, Korea and Indonesia,” said Andrews.
In round one of the program, grants went to food and beverage export hubs, the Mack-Isaac-Whitsunday Mining Equipment and Technology Services hub, an advance manufacturing hub in Newcastle, a project to focus on specialised education and market opportunities for manufacturing SMEs in rail and haulage supply chains. Recipient organisations were spread throughout regional areas in Victoria, NSW, Queensland, and South Australia.