Innovative exporters and investors from across Australia will be celebrated in a recognition program that will highlight the incredible resilience shown by Australian businesses this year.
Small and medium sized exporters that have adapted to the challenges of 2020 in creative and inspiring ways will have their stories highlighted as part of an online campaign.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham said the program would acknowledge the remarkable efforts of Australian exporters to diversify to the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In what has been a challenging year, many businesses around Australia have had to adapt, adjusting to COVID-19 restrictions or pivoting to develop new products entirely,” Minister Birmingham said.
“With over 53,000 exporting businesses across Australia we want to recognise and celebrate the incredible strength and resilience our exporters have shown in the face of major disruptions.
“We’ve seen businesses from all sectors show an ability to face these challenges head on, with distilleries switching to hand sanitiser, packaging producers to face masks and mining equipment manufacturers to hospital-grade ventilators.
“Exporters make an enormous contribution to our economy in helping to create millions of jobs across the country and will play a major role in our economic recovery from COVID-19.
“The benefits of exporting are well known, with Australian businesses who export hiring 23 per cent more staff, paying 11 per cent higher wages, and having labour productivity that is 13 per cent higher than non-exporting businesses.
“I urge communities to take advantage of this opportunity to recognise their local businesses and engage with this year’s unique program to continue sharing the success stories that remind all Australians of the exceptional work our exporters do.”
The Australian Trade and Investment Commission and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry will run the program that will replace this year’s Australian Export and Investment Awards. For more information, visit: www.exportawards.gov.au.