Businesses access export help
Gippsland Connect is a program supported by the Australian Government’s SME Export Hub Grant, and Regional Partnerships-Gippsland.
Food & Fibre Gippsland is implementing the program, supporting close to 20 Gippsland businesses to explore export opportunities.
The global COVID-19 pandemic has made several activities synonymous with exploring export opportunities ( like travelling to the countries you want to export to and meeting potential customers face to face ) logistically impossible, but pivoting to online has proven successful in establishing and growing connections.
Due to the ongoing travel restrictions, market intelligence and awareness Webinars for Thailand and the USA were presented with Najib Lawson of Export Connect during June.
The Thailand presentation included guest speakers Michael Coote, National Manager of Export Development, AUSVEG and Benjamin Lim, Trade Director South East Asia, Global Victoria.
The USA presentation included Donna L. George, President of DL George Consulting, Greg Seminara, founder of Export Solutions and Brian Carnahan, Senior Trade Director, Global Victoria San Francisco, all USA based.
The webinars were well supported and received by participants from the Gippsland Export Hub and other Victorian SME’'s who attended.
In addition, the Gippsland Connect strategy of sponsoring SME market intelligence, analysing individual SMEs in specific categories and future market entries, engaging with buyers, how to prepare market entry pitch strategies and pricing advice with Export Connect is ongoing.
The Gippsland Connect Export Hub program is also continuing with the ongoing task of producing promotional videos for active Gippsland SME participants as an aid toward identifying their unique Gippsland points of difference and assisting export.
Five Gippsland companies have completed the export promotional videos with another five due to be completed in June, July and September - these feature on the home page of the Food & Fibre Gippsland website.
