Global Trade Updates

In the latest edition of World Risk Developments, Efic looks at the higher borrowing costs Australian SME exporters face compared to larger corporates.

Australia’s total goods and services exports have reached a record $401 billion for the first time, bolstered by strong export growth to China.

Join us for the ECA's Inaugural Community Breakfast Series. This new program hosted by Crowe Horwath is designed to bring together like minded SMEs to share their experiences, discover new business insights and access industry experts, through engaging breakfast sessions held under Chatham House Rules.

To assist Australian businesses entering the United States (US) market, IP Australia has created a suite of resources, starting with trade marks. This new content highlights the important steps businesses should take before they expand into the US.

With Efic’s Overseas Direct Investment Guarantee, Varley Group were able to purchase a stake in a specialist US avionics and defence software provider and gain access to the billion dollar US defence industry.

Spending by tourists - both international and domestic - has soared to a record $107.4 billion as Australia continues to welcome record numbers of visitors.

If you’re an SME exporter and would like financial assistance to market and promote your business overseas, Austrade is now accepting applications for the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme for the 2017–18 year. You can also attend a free online information session to find out more about the scheme and how to make the most of your grant.

The Export Council of Australia is proud to announce a successful partnership funding bid of $4.8 million for the Darwin International Airport Freight Hub, awarded under the Building Better Regions Funding program.

Join the NSW Government, Export Council of Australia (ECA) and ANZ in Parramatta to launch the Premier’s NSW Export Awards in Western Sydney and to explore Food and Beverage opportunities in India for your business.

Join the Export Council of Australia (ECA), NSW Government, ANZ and VIP.com in Wollongong to explore the eCommerce opportunity for your business. 

Australia’s total trade in goods and services reached a record $763.2 billion in 2017, up 11 per cent from 2016, driving economic growth and creating new jobs.

Seven NSW startups will learn from global innovation experts in Tel Aviv, as part of a joint program hosted in one of the world’s most advanced innovation hubs.

The Global Talent Scheme pilot has been launched to help Australian businesses attract the world's best and brightest workers to support business growth, skills transfer and job creation. From 1 July 2018, the 12 month pilot will provide businesses with clearly defined and accessible pathways to access global talent for specialized positions where there are no suitable Australians to fill the vacancies. 

Sunshine Coast Regional Council and Export Connect invite you to an inspiring Exporters Forum on Thursday 2nd August. This Q&A and networking session will be moderated by our Director Najib Lawand. It will include insights from Euromonitor International and will feature Queensland Export Award Winners and Finalists from a diverse range of industry sectors.

With Efic’s loan Western Australia-based Oz Varieties was able to continue to fund its blueberry breeding program and build on its Australian IP revenue.

‘Access to foreign markets is extremely important for businesses that provide goods and services to governments’ said Alina Bain, CEO of the Export Council of Australia (ECA).

For a long time, the EU was the biggest market with which Australia didn’t have—or wasn’t negotiating—a FTA. That changed last week with Australia formally starting FTA negotiations with the EU.

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources invites food import businesses to attend an industry roundtable session. This session will provide you with an opportunity to talk directly with senior people in the department about issues with importing food in compliance with Australian food standards. The roundtable will be held August 2018 from 10:00 – 3:00 pm (9:30am arrival) at EPICURE, Brisbane City Hall (lunch provided). 

Businesses are encouraged to have their say on the development of Australia’s new Nation Brand in a series of forums starting around the country this week.

Australia’s food industry has an excellent reputation internationally, thanks to its ‘clean and green’ approach, strong regulatory framework and ongoing focus on sustainability.

As proud sponsors of the Women In International Business category at this year's 30th WA Industry & Export Awards , the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (WA) is hosting a free sundowner on Tuesday 17 July to celebrate women in the state who are making their mark in global business. In keeping with the awards' 30th Anniversary, we will reflect on the last three decades; how far we have come and what still needs to be done for the success of the next generation of business women.  

The Export Council of Australia congratulates our member, Ms Dalene Wray, Managing Director of OBE Organic on winning the Chief Executive Women (CEW) Austrade Women in Export Scholarship in 2018. 

The Export Council of Australia (ECA) interviewed a Korean importer of Australian orange juice.

If you’re even thinking about doing business in China, the first thing you should do is protect your brand by applying for a trade mark in China. China’s first-to-file trade marks system means that registering as early as possible is the only reliable way to ensure the most efficient protection of your intellectual property in China and avoid bad faith trade mark registrations, a common problem in China.

I am pleased to launch a new guide to help Australian export businesses harness the power of e-commerce to expand into global markets. Developed by Austrade, Online Exporting: A Guide for Australian Business is a practical resource for exporters looking to access markets like China, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia.

Applications are now open for the 29th annual Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards. Whether your company is large or small, by winning an export award, you gain the opportunity to significantly raise your company’s profile, be exposed to valuable business and networking opportunities, and be honoured for your hard work and success before the who’s who of the Queensland international trade community.

Australian business leaders from a cross section of some of the country’s most iconic businesses, technology firms and arts institutions today joined in Canberra to spearhead an ambitious new project to rebrand Australia and reclaim Australia’s competitive advantage.

Australia’s exporters will be awarded for their work creating jobs and driving economic growth at the 56th Australian Export Awards. Nominations are now open for the 2018 awards program and I encourage all Australian exporters, large and small, to enter.

Applications for this year’s 30th Western Australian Industry & Export Awards are now open. WA businesses engaged in the global trade of goods or services are encouraged to apply today at  www.exportaward.com.au/wa for a chance to be recognised as among “the best of the best”, in WA and nationally.

The Australian Defence Export Office and Austrade have taken the first steps towards delivering enhanced export support for Australian defence businesses, signing a Memorandum of Understanding to engage dedicated local industry experts in key export markets.