Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has encouraged small exporters across Hume to apply for Federal funding under the Package Assisting Small Exporters grant programme.

Mr Taylor said more than $11 million in grants were available to assist small exporters who were keen to grow their businesses and expand market access.

“Every export job we create, we create an additional three to five jobs in town to support that export business. These export jobs are gold,” he said.

“I was at the Cowra Business Awards last week and was impressed with the entrepreneurship of the local businesses being recognised. I congratulated Brooks Beds R Us for winning the Excellence in Business Award.

“I was able to present Brumby Aircraft - who are exporting their small aircraft into China - with the Extraordinary Business Achievement Award.

“This government is doing a great deal to push open the doors into growing Asian markets. The free trade agreements signed with China, Japan and Korea - three of our top agricultural trading partners – will deliver major opportunities for Hume exporters.  

“I encourage exporters of dairy, fish, eggs, meat, horticulture and grain to apply for funding under the Package Assisting Small Exporters.

“The grants can be put towards information workshops on how to meet importing requirements of other countries, creating greater commercial opportunities for selling a product, developing niche products, funding research or strategy development.”

Applications close 5pm AEST, 30 April 2015. Programme guidelines can be found on the Department of Agriculture’s website at http://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/export/package-assisting-small-exporters

Caption 1: Angus Taylor with Michael Brooks (Brooks Beds R Us) Winner – Excellence in Business Award – and Cowra Business Chamber president Ben Casey. 

Caption 2: Angus Taylor with Paul Goard (Brumby Aircraft) Winner – Extraordinary Business Achievement Award.