By STEVE GRAY
A SMALL group at a breakfast kicked off an Export Network which aims to support local industry wishing to expand their trade through export development.
Council’s economic development officer Diane Anstee said some local businesses may not have considered it, but exporting can provide businesses with new fields of endeavour and increased opportunities.
Ms Anstee ran a similar program in Mackay and said those at the breakfast at the Queensland College of Wine and Tourism had similar aspirations.
“It seems they would like a similar sort of role for this network – bringing speakers , international speakers, trade commissioners, and so on,” she said.
“Getting some skill development happening for export development and also looking at some of the successful local exporters, getting them to tell their export story.”
Those attending the breakfast came from industries as diverse as cattle genetics, education and training, the wine industry and doll manufacturing.
Barbara Hadley runs broader Horizons English, teaching English as a second language, targeting the backpacker market and migrant workers.
“This morning was very interesting, just hearing the different industries that are in the area and how everyone has to try to find a market for their product or service,” Ms Hadley said.
“It was a good knowledge-sharing meeting.”
David Hansen runs Wicked Distribution Pty Ltd and already exports car care products to New Zealand.
In earlier years he was involved in the export of apples and pears through to South East Asia, so he has knowledge to pass on to aspiring exporters.
“Export for me just flows, it’s just part of our business. We’ve got distributors in New Zealand,” he said.
Ms Anstee said the Wellcamp Airport was fundamentally important to the development of export in the region.
Other business operators interested in joining the export development network should contact the council’s economic development unit on 4681 5527 or email Jenny.Sherrin@SDRC.qld.gov.au.
