New export funding opens doors

Earlier this month, Mr Hamilton-Smith launched the Export Partnership Program, which replaces the Gateway Business Program and has a funding pool of $492,000.

This will be expanded to $731,000 in 2015-16 and the Minister hopes to increase this to $1 million in subsequent years.

"Current and aspiring exporters can apply for funding of up to $50,000 over two years for eligible export projects and activities," Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

"Grants may be used to support coaching, training, market intelligence and mentoring in order to plan for international opportunities and build their export capability.

"Our redesigned export program will help companies get access to the right tools and support to grow and build international networks that can often be financially challenging to access.

"It will also help the state government achieve its export objectives to create new jobs and support economic growth for SA."

The Export Partnership Program provides 50-50 funding to eligible South Australian companies to pursue international market development opportunities.

Mr Hamilton-Smith said the government felt the rules for the previous program were "too rigid" and there was a need for a more flexible and accessible program which would ensure "every dollar is accessed".

He pointed to companies such as Thomas Foods International as local success stories which had grown from a small base to exporting 40-50 containers each week and employing 1400 people at its Murray Bridge plant.

"They're an example of the opportunities that are out there for primary producers who might be small today, but could be very big tomorrow," he said.

"At the early stages, funding through something like the EPP is very important."

The new program reduces minimum turnover threshold requirement from $150,000 to $100,000 to increase the eligibility for newer or 'born global' businesses; doubles the amount of funds available to individual companies from $25,000 to $50,000; allows companies to apply for funding multiple times until they reach $50,000; removes previous caps for individual activities to encourage greater autonomy for companies to determine expenditure plans for their export marketing strategies; and allows previous recipients of the former Market Access Program and the Export Market Development Grant to apply and revisit markets adversely affected by the high Australian dollar.

Meanwhile, Opposition Investment and Trade Minister Tim Whetstone said the government had significantly cut funding from the previous program, which offered up to $1m in funding annually.

"At a time where the state government should be providing increased support for businesses to create new export markets and in turn grow jobs and attract investment, the Minister is selling our exporters short," he said.

Mr Whetstone said while the replacement export program had more flexible guidelines, less money available meant more businesses would miss out on vital support to help them become export ready.

Details: Applications for the Export Partnership Program close Friday, April 10. Visit www.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/epp or contact TradeStart, 08 8303 2400.