The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) is among 27 member-based business organisations to receive a slice of $6 million in grant money being awarded under the government's Asian Century Business Engagement Plan.
The AFGC will use its share to develop comprehensive market reports and capability statements that will better position small- and medium-sized food and beverage enterprises to increase exports and capture greater market share in Asian markets.
A total of 27 member-based business organisations were awarded grants to help them expand their networks in Asia under the government’s inaugural Asian Century Business Engagement plan.
Other food industry recipients were the Northern Poultry Cluster, which will develop an Asian food export supply chain that will aim to increase the depth and reach of Australian food products in selected Asian retail and food service markets.
Citrus Australia has also received a grant to implement a comprehensive program to improve market access and better position the industry to identify and benefit from opportunities in China. The program will include a high-level trade mission, intern program, development of marketing material and training workshops.
The Sheepmeat Council of Australia will use its money to investigate the viability of establishing a joint venture sheep processing facility in Indonesia and opportunities to supply third world country markets.
Organisations from Australia and Asia submitted 95 applications for funding under the engagement plan, which is being administered by Austrade.
The four-year, $6 million program was announced last year under the Government White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century.
According to Austrade, personal relationships are essential to doing business, especially in many Asian societies, and the engagement plan is all about helping Australian business organisations to forge those personal links and to identify opportunities.
Austrade said that by 2025, Australia’s trade links with Asia are expected to account for at least one-third of GDP, compared with one-quarter in 2011.
Citrus Australia is among the grant recipients.
