TAKING OUR TRADE TO THE WORLD
Jeremy Rockliff MP, Premier and Minister for Trade
The 2022-23 State Budget is strengthening Tasmania’s future with key investments to grow and diversify our economy, so we can invest the dividends where it matters most.
With Tasmania’s borders once again open to the world, we are investing to proactively support Tasmanian businesses to showcase their products to the world.
The Budget includes $1.8 million to undertake six trade and investment missions in key markets across the next two years that will help Tasmanian businesses expand in markets affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as establish a foothold in new and potentially lucrative ones.
There is no doubt that Tasmania has what the world wants and with economies around the world starting to recover and demand for goods growing, we are making sure Tasmania remains front and centre with our premium products and services.
The trade and investment missions will promote Tasmania’s extensive capabilities and connect businesses directly to international buyers, distributors, and government and business leaders in key markets such as New Zealand, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Europe.
We are already making significant progress with the first trade mission to be New Zealand from 31 July to 4 August this year with participating Tasmanian businesses to be finalised in the coming weeks.
Applications for businesses to join the Singapore and Vietnam Trade and Investment Mission planned for October 2022 are expected to open in June, and planning for the remaining trade missions is well advanced and will be released shortly.
Businesses joining our trade missions receive tailored support and advice on taking their products into the target market, and in return act as key brand ambassadors for the industry and more broadly Tasmania.
Our exports sector has gone from strength to strength in recent years, with the latest ABS export statistics confirming a record figure of $4.6 billion for the 12 months to March 2022. This is 24.5 per cent higher than the previous year and is the eighth consecutive month in which the rolling 12-month total has exceeded the $4 billion mark.
Our investment will continue this momentum and take Tasmanian products to more people around the world, growing and diversifying markets abroad, while creating jobs and adding to our economy at home.
The 2022-23 State Budget is delivering for all Tasmanians, and importantly, our investments will keep our economy strong and harness our competitive advantages to create more opportunities for Tasmanians – allowing us to invest even more in the areas Tasmanians care about.