Australian Government and industry unite to support exporters to diversify and grow

Australian exporters have the formidable support of the Australian Government and industry to diversify and grow into new markets. 

On Wednesday 4 March, the Minister for Trade and Tourism Senator the Hon. Don Farrell officially launched the Trade Diversification Network (TDN). The TDN comprises 40 national peak bodies across a broad range of Australian industries that will work hand-in-hand with government to support exporters to diversify and expand. 

Held at Parliament House, the event brought together over 30 members of the TDN for the first time in a celebration of connection and collaboration.  

Also in attendance was Cathy Raper, First Assistant Secretary and Australia-EU FTA Chief Negotiator, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Dr Paul Grimes, CEO of Austrade; and Jay Meek, General Manager, Trade Diversification Taskforce, Austrade. 

Supporting exporters in a fast-evolving trade environment 

The TDN is at the heart of the Accessing New Markets Initiative (ANMI), a $50 million program to help Australian exporters diversify their export markets and to take advantage of new export growth opportunities. ANMI is designed and jointly delivered by Austrade and industry.  

Minister Farrell talked about the Team Australia approach and value of the TDN in an ever-evolving trade environment.   

‘We can’t do this alone,’ he told the audience. ‘We need to work together in what is an increasingly unstable world situation. 

‘We are seen as valuable trade partners. We are reliable and provide terrific quality,’ he added. ‘We need to keep the trade momentum going.’ 

Dr Grimes says Austrade is working more closely than ever before with national peak industry bodies to design strategic activities that address the specific needs of their sectors. The deep collaboration, including with other federal government agencies and state and territory partners, will also shape how Austrade and industry work together beyond ANMI, identifying long-term strategies to better support exporters. 

‘By pairing Austrade’s global network, practical market intelligence and trade services with the capabilities of peak industry bodies, ANMI will deliver support with enduring outcomes to help businesses diversify,’ he says. 

Jay Meek thanked the TDN members for their engagement in developing Trade Diversification Plans. These plans outline activities that were jointly identified to support Australian exporters to expand to new markets and grow in existing ones.  

He also reflected on the significance of the TDN and the shift in the way government and industries are working together to help Australian businesses on their export journeys. 

A show of strength and collaboration: The Australian Government and industry unite to support exporters to diversify and grow.

Building capability and synergies

The TDN members welcomed the launch and saw the benefits of the TDN ranging from cross-collaboration, synergies outside of normal linkages and opportunities to learn from each other and build capability. 

‘One of the things that I think is exciting about the TDN is access to the broader network of the other peak bodies,’ says Amy Crosland, Chief Operating Officer, Australian Sports Technologies Network. 

‘We are a smaller peak body, but we have a lot of crossover and cross-collaboration with other industries and other sectors. We want to join up with other members within the TDN to collaborate and coordinate our activities and benefit each of our members.’ 

‘The key benefit we see is that this will allow a true industry and government response to uncertain times that we’re seeing in global markets, by having a framework to bring industry and the businesses they represent into government,’ says Christopher Young, General Manager – Trade & Economics, National Farmers’ Federation. 

‘We can then work to ensure that when we’re in-market we speak with one voice to get better effect for our members.’

Resources for exporters

ANMI complements a suite of diversification programs and services provided by Austrade, including: 

• Go Global Toolkit, incorporating the Go Global Export Academy
• Southeast Asia Business Exchange program
• South Asia Business Exchange program
• trade services
• trade missions and events
• Export Market Development Grants.

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