MOORABOOL EXPORT NETWORK

Key Meeting Dates

Business @ Bacchus Marsh has been successful in a funding application to the State Government for $10,000 to establish and run a series of export initiatives across the Moorabool Shire in 2007.

Mr Peter Crotty, Chairman of Business @ Bacchus Marsh, said “the program will develop a range of initiatives aimed to assist those businesses that are currently exporting and provide detailed insights to those businesses with the potential to consider export markets”.

“The program will also involve the establishment of a mentoring program that will run throughout the year”.

The program will be launched at a dinner on Monday 28 May 2007 at 6:30pm by James Hodges of the Export Development Department of the State Government. James will also be guest speaker at the dinner who will discuss export opportunities, grants, services, and assistance on the benefits of exporting and being export ready.

Businesses @ Bacchus Marsh is a local business association established in 2002 comprising members from a range of industry sectors. The group has identified this opportunity to provide assistance and support to local businesses in their export endeavours. It is anticipated that the network will generate economic activity, increase business sales and generate local employment opportunities.

MOORABOOL EXPORT NETWORK - Official Launch: 28 May 2007

Just over 50 participants attended the Official launch of the Moorabool Export Network. The launch was undertaken by James Hodges, Manager for Export with the state government Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development.

In his presentation, James indicated several stages in the export journey including:

Planning – market selection, communications, resource management, profiling the company and product – who we are, our target, how we cost and sell, minimum and maximum orders – and setting up supplier infrastructures.

Entry – gaining a good understanding of the targeted market, by taking part in trade missions, attending trade fairs (not necessarily as an exhibitor), setting up local partnerships and e-market allies, knowing your competitors. This stage is market development – allocating time (this means resources, learning, improving) to prepare for entry into export.

Implementing – drawing on networks such as the Moorabool Export Network to share experience and advice on such areas as risk management, shared planning and joint logistics, undertaking independent trade missions (eg. Mildura network visiting China).

James indicated government support was available in terms of advice, practical assistance, and funding through organizations such as Business @ Bacchus Marsh, to facilitate the formation of local networks.

Survey

At the launch of the Moorabool Export Network, participants were invited to complete a survey on their priorities for information and their interests in export opportunities. Here are the results:

Grouped Priorities in Order Sources of Grants; Using Government Departments Effectively

Identifying Opportunities; Taking Risks out of Export; Intellectual Property; Getting Paid; Obtaining Finance; Export Requirements

Selection and Use of Agents; Locating Markets; Insurance; Trade Documents; Using web effectively; Freight Management; Distribution Strategies, Foreign Exchange, Trade Missions (Incoming, outgoing); Quality Assurance; all of the above.

No interest was shown in having morning workshops and marginal interest in breakfast meetings, afternoon workshops. The clearest outcome was for night time meetings (7:00pm - 10:00pm), and the preferred days of the week were Mondays and Tuesdays.