Australian ICT companies looking to expand their business internationally should not forget to explore the extensive assistance offered by the Australian Government. It comes down to risk-minimisation. While international markets offer significant opportunities, they bring with it equal risk. Austrade can help mitigate the risk associated with international expansion.

Once of the best support mechanisms offered by Austrade is the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme. This scheme offers financial assistance to current and aspiring exporters to allow them to recoup some of the costs of eligible export marketing expenses. In 2004-05, $123.9 million and 3299 grants were paid to businesses under the scheme. Visit www.austrade.gov.au/emdg to see if your business is eligible.

Austrade also provides a host of export services to ICT exporters such as market selection and partner identification. For companies that are new to export, Austrade offers a specialist program aimed at helping you to achieve your first sale while minimising some of the start-up costs. Visit www.austrade.gov.au/newexporters for further information.

A particular focus for Austrade is trying to leverage the opportunities for ICT exporters arising out of the FTAs with the USA, Singapore and Thailand.

In the case of the USA, we’ve established a Government Procurement team based in Washington D.C. whose primary focus is getting Australian technology into the US government. Similarly, in Singapore we have recently appointed a Government Procurement specialist whose focus is helping Australian companies access the host of government tenders being released from Singaporean agencies. In the case of Thailand, our Bangkok office continues their focus on working with Australian ICT companies, and increasing the focus of Thai customers on Australian capability. Recently we hosted a delegation of eight Thai ICT companies at CeBIT Australia and matched them with potential Australian business partners.

Outside of Australia, Austrade also supports numerous events around the globe. Visit our Trade events section to see what we have planned for the next 6-12 months.

For companies just looking to up-skill their understanding of export issues we also have a suite of online resources called My Export Coach. This site includes 13 online training modules on export topics tailored for ICT companies. The modules cover everything from market selection, financial issues, cultural considerations and assistance from government and industry.

Read about some ICT companies that have used Austrade to expand internationally.

For further information send an email to Export-ICT@austrade.gov.au, or call 13 28 78.

---May 2006