JIMBOOMBA businesses have been urged to enter the 2018 Australian Export Awards, celebrating the success of Australian products and services on the global stage.
Forde MP Bert van Manen encouraged local exporters to enter the awards, co-presented by Austrade and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“From local produce to manufacturing, we have some tremendous businesses in Forde that export goods to all corners of the world,” Mr van Manen said.
“Our export businesses contribute significantly to the local economy and jobs and it would be great to see a local business recognised with a national award.”
Applicants enter the Queensland export awards program. Winners progress to the finals of the national event in Canberra in December.
Applications are accepted across 13 national export award categories including the new emerging exporters category for businesses just starting their export journey and demonstrating Australia’s diverse export sector.
Other categories include digital technologies, e-commerce, health and biotechnology, regional exporter and small business. Australia’s exporters make a substantial contribution to our economy.
Last year, the Australian Export Awards’ 77 national finalists generated more than $3.9 billion in export sales in 2016-17 and employed more than 31,000 people.
“Forde’s hard working exporters are enjoying unprecedented access to the world as the Turnbull Government pursues Australia’s most ambitious trade agenda,” Mr van Manen said.
“Earlier this year the Coalition concluded the TPP-11, which will eliminate more than 98 per cent of tariffs in a trade zone with a combined GDP of $13.7 trillion and next month we will launch negotiations for a trade agreement with the European Union.
“These agreements build on the north Asian trade agreements the Coalition secured with China, Japan and Korean.”
Entries can be submitted online.