The Minister for Economic Development, David O'Byrne, today
urged local exporters to apply for the 2012 Tasmanian Export
Awards.

The awards recognise the important contribution of exporters to
Tasmania's economy.

Applications for the awards opened this week. The launch
coincides with figures showing Tasmania recorded $336 million of international
exports in March - the strongest monthly result in almost two
years.

"We need to celebrate and encourage the good things Tasmanian
exporters are doing, as they strive for a competitive advantage on the world
stage," Mr O'Byrne said.

"Tasmania has a largely export-oriented economy, which has both
advantages and disadvantages as world markets and currencies
fluctuate.

"Current export growth is largely being driven by a rebound in
key Asian markets, and strong demand for our mineral
resources.

"But the innovation and hard work of our exporters also plays a
massive role, and it's important to honour that with these awards," he
said.

In the year to March, Tasmania recorded international
merchandise exports of $3.24 billion. There's been a particularly strong rebound
in the recent March quarter, with the value of overseas exports up 12 per cent,
compared to the same period last year.

Mr O'Byrne said he's confident Tasmania's economic recovery will
continue over the next 12 months, as the Government supports further growth and
diversification through the Economic Development
Plan.

"The Economic Development Plan helps us identify and play to our
natural strengths, so we can help Tasmanian businesses find new markets and grow
jobs," he O'Byrne said.

Tasmanian Export Award winners will qualify as finalists for the
Australian Export Awards program.

There are seven categories in the 2012 Tasmanian Export
Awards:

• Agribusiness Award
• Information and Communications Technology
  Award
• Small Business Award
• Manufacturing Award
• Services Awards
• Emerging export Award
• Regional Exporter of the Year
  Award

The Minister's Tasmanian Export of the Year Award is selected
from the seven category winners.

This year's sponsors include, Austrade, AusIndustry, Tasports,
Export Finance and Insurance Corporation and The Examiner
Newspaper.

Applications close on August 24^th. Award winners will
be announced at a lunch ceremony at Wrest Point in Hobart on September
28^th, with national winners announced in Canberra on November
27^th.

For more information, visit http://exportawards.eawards.com.au/tas/intro.php