INDONESIA is set to be the next export opportunity for Orange businesses to make their mark, with free trade opportunities spelled out.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A breakfast seminar was held at Wentworth Golf Club on Wednesday morning, attended by 23 businesses.
Businesses ranged from agricultural producers to grain silo manufacturers.
Origin Chocolate owner Matthew Chimenti spoke about how he had benefited from free trade agreements in Singapore and other Southeast Asian countries.
Assistant Minister for Trade Mark Coulton said the recently-signed free trade agreement with Indonesia offered a fresh and growing market.
"They're our closest neighbour with 70 million people living on our doorstep," he said.
[The agreement] gives you a preferential arrangement over some competitors, but it doesn't override normal business relations.
- Assistant Trade Minister Mark Coulton
Free trade agreements also exist with the Pacific Rim nations through the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Peru, China, Japan and Korea.
Mr Coulton said businesses had not only benefited from exporting physical products, but also training.
"We've been doing quite well with technology and education so services can take advantage, as well as goods," he said.
He said different government departments could assist businesses at different stages of the process.
"If businesses in the central west are looking at exporting something, TradeStart can help start that process", he said.
Meanwhile, he said AusTrade had representatives to guide businesses on different markets and finance was also available.
"There are grants available to travel overseas to promote your product at trade shows," he said.
Mr Coulton said businesses who proved themselves reliable exporters could also earn preferential treatment in getting their shipping containers through the ports faster.
However, he said there were pitfalls businesses should be aware of.
"You need to make sure you understand who your customers are," he said.
"[The agreement] gives you a preferential arrangement over some competitors, but it doesn't override normal business relations."
- READ ALSO: Colmar targeted for European trade
- READ ALSO: Call for education focus in India trade
- READ ALSO: Cherries flown directly to Chinese markets
DO YOU WANT MORE ORANGE NEWS?
Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...