Austrade media release
Monday, 23 June 2008
The Australian Export Awards program brings together some of Australia’s best in the business to share their export insights and experience at a breakfast panel at Old Parliament House in Canberra tomorrow.
The 2007 Australian Export Awards winners on the panel of experts include Dr Chris Roberts from Cochlear Limited (NSW); Mr Todd Coates from BridgeClimb (NSW); and Mr Johan Pineaar from Flight Training Adelaide (SA) with Mr Brand Hoff from Tower Software as Master of Ceremonies.
Austrade CEO Peter O’Byrne said the Australian Export Awards program was about promoting the importance of exporting to our economy, and recognising those businesses whose innovation and proven track record set them apart.
“We’re privileged to hear insights from these businesses on winning strategies and the pitfalls to watch out for on the road to international business success,” Mr O’Byrne said.
The breakfast provides a great opportunity to hear Australian Export Awards winners in manufacturing, tourism and aviation discuss how they continue to sustain and grow their international business at a time when a strong Australian dollar and rising fuel costs leading to higher freight and transport costs are creating challenges for many Australian firms.
According to Austrade Chief Economist Tim Harcourt economic research shows the higher Australian dollar has made things tough for some exporters.
“Around 2/3 of exporters in our latest study were worried about the appreciation of the dollar compared to half a year ago but they are hanging in there,” he said.
“The high Aussie dollar – which has been hovering in the 90s for some time – has adversely affected manufacturing, agribusiness and tourism exporters who don’t have the benefit of the high resources prices.
“However, for those exporters who are sticking in there, they are getting a pay-off in terms of higher profits because of the overall growth in the global economy and the fact that almost 40 per cent are also importers with some benefit on the cost side,” Mr Harcourt said.
Cochlear Limited and BridgeClimb will this year be formally recognised in the Australian Export Awards Hall of Fame - an honour awarded to three-time winners for their consistently strong, global export performances.
Cochlear pioneered and is global leader in the research and development, manufacture and marketing of implantable hearing solutions. Nucleus® cochlear implant systems have restored the hearing of more than 90,000 recipients and Nucleus Freedom ™ has provided hearing to over 19,000 people in countries across the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe.
BridgeClimb was the first tourism operator on a bridge anywhere in the world when the company opened in 1998. Climbers receive personalised commentary, enjoy the panorama of Sydney Harbour and share an unforgettable occasion as they are guided by Climb Leaders on a physical and emotional journey to the Bridge summit. BridgeClimb has welcomed over 1.9 million international tourists as well as domestic visitors and local adventurers to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The 2007 Australian Export Awards winners will be announced at a National Awards Presentation on 5 December 2008 in Melbourne. Companies can enter the national awards by first entering their state and territory award programs via www.exportawards.gov.au
ENDS
Media contact
Caroline James
Mob: +61 413 481 479
For further news and information from the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) visit www.austrade.gov.au/mediacentre. |