TSBE wins FTA Training Provider Grant
Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) has been named as one of only 14 organisations across Australia to receive funding under the Australian Government’s Free Trade Agreement Training Provider Grants program.
The program has been designed to assist recipient organisations provide training to help small and medium businesses reach opportunities as a result of Australia’s new free trade agreements with China, Japan and Korea.
TSBE’s Food Leaders Australia (FLA) initiative will utilise the funding to carry out the “Unlocking Northern Asia – FTA’s Enabling the Darling Downs Export Opportunity” project to bring greater awareness to businesses in the region regarding the FTA’s.
FLA General Manager Jo Sheppard said winning the funding was a significant coup for the Darling Downs region and would greatly benefit local businesses capitalise on growing export opportunities.
“The project will be carried out over the coming months and will work with sector specific SMEs in the Darling Downs region to increase their understanding, technical expertise and utilisation of FTA’s in the target markets,” Jo Sheppard said.
“While there has been much discussion surrounding the FTA’s and what they mean for Australia, the project will allow FLA to provide individual businesses with situation-specific assistance to build their capability to foster engagement with the FTA markets.
“China, Japan and Korea represent three of Asia's largest economies with Australia already shipping 62 per cent of total goods exports to these markets.
“The Darling Downs region is part of Australia’s largest agriculture region making the area well placed to supply to Asia’s growing demand for Australian produce.
“With our transport and logistics capabilities now greatly enhanced with the development of Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport in Toowoomba and the first international air freight flight taking off in late 2015, now is the time for businesses to better understand the prospects offered by these FTA’s.”
The project will also involve the development of an online platform for SMEs which will provide ongoing benefits and create a virtual learning management system with real-time interactive consultancy and learning for the involve businesses.
“We are keen to assist businesses further their knowledge about Australia’s FTA’s with these powerhouse economies and build a solid foundation for their business to be well placed to take advantage of the opportunities. Many businesses are now needing the finer detail around the FTA’s and this project will deliver that,” Jo Sheppard said.
Further information about the Australian Government’s Free Trade Agreement Training Provider Grants program can be found at http://trademinister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2016/sc_mr_160308.aspx?w=tb1CaGpkPX%2FlS0K%2Bg9ZKEg%3D%3D
