A new Regional Trade Network has been announced to help businesses successfully participate in the international marketplace.
Australian Government agency Austrade has awarded a contract for TradeStart services to be delivered by the South West Development Commission with the Great Southern and Goldfields-Esperance regional development commissions, supported by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
South West Development Commission acting chief executive officer Rebecca Ball said she welcomed the chance to expand the reach of the TradeStart services, thanking Austrade for the opportunity.
"The regions are home to outstanding businesses that produce quality products," she said.
"Through this network, more businesses with export aspirations will be able to access help in the regions they are based in.
"This will pave the way to lift the level of goods and services being exported.
"I encourage local businesses wanting to trade to take advantage of the support that will be offered through this new network and look forward to seeing more local product on shelves and restaurants overseas."
Efforts to develop international markets will be further boosted by a $100,000 investment in the network by the state government.
The additional funding is targeted to provide enhanced delivery of TradeStart services to agribusiness and food export-ready clients as part of the wider support offered through the network to assist local businesses in a range of industries to extend their reach overseas.
Bunbury MLA Don Punch said he thought it was great.
"Our regions future is about international trade, we have so many small and medium businesses that are trading overseas
"It's a helping hand for those businesses to get started on what is a complex process with trade."
TradeStart services have been delivered in the region by the South West Development Commission since 2003.
The expanded network will provide a strengthened framework for trade and investment, helping to underpin business growth in three regional economies in the State's south.
Services are targeted to small and medium enterprises across industries to develop export market development skills and international market knowledge, as well as providing current and relevant advice on international trade and investment opportunities.
