Austmine has been successful in its bid to establish Export Hubs in Victoria and Western Australia with the aim to accelerate export market entry of the Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) sector.
The METS Export Hubs are being funded under the Federal Government’s Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources’ Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Export Hubs initiative.
They are also being established in partnership with the Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, and the Western Australian Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, who are both contributing funding.
A key priority for the hubs will be to improve the competitive positioning of regional SMEs on a global scale, linking them with expertise, support and resources in metropolitan centres and international nodes.
Austmine’s CEO, Christine Gibbs Stewart, said Australian METS are leaders in mining innovation and technology on a global scale, and the hubs will be critical in helping a diverse range of SMEs share their capabilities, expertise and unique solutions with the world.
“The hubs will strengthen the competitive positioning of the sector and create export-focussed METS companies through building capabilities to address the needs of customers, facilitating knowledge sharing within a strong METS cohort and providing the skills needed to export,” Gibbs Stewart said.
Austmine will work closely with State and Federal Government partners on the project, and the hubs will offer a referral point to exporter training, business management programs and additional funding. This will ensure SMEs can access critical support to develop export capabilities and create a platform for sustainable business growth.
Following an uncertain and disruptive time for Australian exporters, Austmine says the hubs will be critical in getting Australian businesses moving again.
“We have seen the export business of a number of METS companies interrupted during this unprecedented health crisis. Offering a central platform and support network to access resources, opportunities and export knowledge will help businesses get back on track,” Ms Gibbs said.
Operations will commence on the Hubs in June 2020, with services scheduled to begin in July.
The hubs’ services will be rolled out across three stages to build a solid platform from which export outcomes can be generated, beginning with connecting SMEs into the hub and progressing to focus on capability development and links with international opportunities.
For more information about the Federal Government’s SME Export Hub program see this joint press release from The Hon Karen Andrews, Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, and The Hon Simon Birmingham, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment.
To express your interest in receiving more information or participating in the Hubs, please contact Austmine today.