Speech

Address by: Peter O'Byrne, Chief Executive Officer, Austrade
Event: CPA Australia and Austrade MOU Signing
Location: CPA Headquarters, 385 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Date: 30 November 2006

It’s a pleasure to be here today to formalise an important partnership that will bring together the professional services and global reach of our two organisations.

With a membership of more than 108,000 finance, accounting and business professionals in Australia and across the globe, few professional associations enjoy CPA’s global reach. 

Austrade is also very pleased that CPA Australia is sponsoring a new category in the Australian Export Awards – the SMALL TO MICRO BUSINESS AWARD – which will be presented tonight for the first time. SMEs represent an important part of CPA Australia membership and a sector of great promise for Australia’s export future. 

CPA Australia is to be congratulated for the hard work they have undertaken to gain mutual recognition of accountancy qualifications in the US – a very important win for CPA Australia members, and for Australia’s future trade ties with the US.

CPA Australia is continuing to play an important role in Australia’s trade policy framework as members of the FTA advisory panel – helping develop new ideas and identify market opportunities created through Australia’s free trade agreements.

Complementing CPA’s international service offering, Austrade has a network of over 1000 people in 140 locations internationally and more than 65 locations in Australia.

Together, we have the reach and expertise to leverage our strengths to achieve an important common goal – helping more Australians succeed in international business.

One company that has benefited from CPA Australia and Austrade support is BlueAnt Wireless – makers of Bluetooth wireless technology, who were looking to sell their leading-edge products into the US.

BlueAnt’s business Adviser Michael Wilson of Wilson Business Services – a CPA Australia member who is with us today – participated in Austrade’s Going International program, and was therefore well-placed when it came to giving export advice to his client.

After attending several trade shows in the US with the support of Austrade, BlueAnt Wireless now has five US distributors, including two major IT and telecommunications distributors – DBL and D and H. I understand the company now has a target of selling through 2000 US retail outlets this year.

Paul Orfanos is also with us today, Sales Director of Farmkeeper, a farm management software company – another Australian SME exporter that has benefited from working with Austrade and CPA Australia.

Both these companies are excellent examples of the positive history of co-operation between CPA Australia and Austrade, and how this collaboration has helped CPA members, their clients and exporters:

• Our teams have been working side by side in priority markets, such as  the US, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and the UK;
• We have recently jointly held seminars on doing business in two important growth markets – China and India – promoting export sectors of high growth potential.
  and;
• We have commenced delivery of professional development training to CPA Australia staff through Austrade’s Going International program.

The MOU we are signing today is important recognition of the role Australian qualified accountants both here and overseas play in the success of Australia’s exporters, and their role as trusted advisers for companies entering international markets.

In closing I would particularly like to acknowledge the contribution of Richard Scott, CPA Australia Director for the SME Sector,  for his work in fostering closer ties between our organisations.

I look forward to continuing working with all of you for the mutual benefit of our clients … and ultimately, for the benefit of Australians in export. 

Thank you.