The McGowan Government is backing new export opportunities for the State’s agrifood and beverage businesses with the release of $2.7 million for Round Two of the International Competitiveness Co-investment Fund grants.
The categories for the business development program have been expanded to include grants of $20,000 to $30,000 for aspiring or new exporters, $20,000 to $50,000 for emerging exporters and $20,000 to $100,000 for established exporters.
The grants will support recipients to boost international business competitiveness by improving supply chains, market diversification, scale, product quality and capacity, as well as customer relationships to target high growth, premium export markets.
Previous recipients have used the grants to get their operations export ready, including developing business cases, demonstrating sustainability credentials, investing in e-commerce, digital marketing and promotional materials and undertaking market research to build strong trade relationships.
The initiative will continue to support Western Australian businesses to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and adjust to the ever changing global operating environment, while reconnecting with overseas markets as borders reopen over the next two years.
More than 38 businesses from the Kimberley to the South Coast have benefited from the first round of the Fund and its predecessor – the Grants for Asian Market Export program – while Round 2 will continue to lay solid foundations for future job creation throughout the State.
For more information about Round Two of the International Competitiveness Co-investment Fund grants visit https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/ICCF. Applications close Friday, February 4, 2022 at 9pm (AWST).
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
“Our agrifood businesses have done an incredible job in continuing to export through the pandemic.
“With WA set to reconnect to the world in 2022, there will be new opportunities to grow our exports and take WA product to the world – and we’re investing to help businesses reach their potential.
“The first round of these grants helped transform recipients’ businesses, including a digital marketing campaign for WA Lupins, Futari Wagyu’s cold store beef production model and the Craig Mostyn Group’s strategies to extend the shelf life of Linley Valley Pork.”
As stated by Fisheries Minister Don Punch:
“Fisheries businesses make a significant contribution to the regional economy and employment, with previous grant recipients like Shark Bay Seafoods and Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-operative using the opportunity to diversify and expand market share.
“The WA seafood industry has successfully pivoted to adjust to the changing international marketplace, which has been redefined by COVID-19 and other trade disruptions, adopting new strategies and channels to get our premium product to market.
“I encourage WA seafood enterprises to consider how the International Competitiveness Co-investment Fund can help their businesses to grow and prosper.”
