Issue
The Wagga Wagga Business Survey conducted in October 2009 indicated a reasonable amount of businesses operate in international markets. The survey results illustrated that 17 per cent of respondents received export revenue, although this was below 10 per cent of their total turnover. What was most interesting however was that 20 per cent of respondents indicated they were not exporting but were interested in doing so.
Barriers to export for small businesses are vast and range from very high impact to low impact. High impact barriers are obstacles such as limited information to locate and analyse markets, inability to contact potential overseas markets, difficulty in matching competitors' prices, excessive transportation and insurance costs, different foreign customer habits and attitudes and poor economic and political conditions abroad. However the most critical obstacle to export is shortage of working capital to finance export.
Action Initiated
Wagga Wagga City Council has partnered with Industry and Investment NSW to run a workshop on building export capability and opportunities in ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations). The seminar will be held on 30th September from 10 am to 4 pm at Wagga Wagga City Council and will be run as one of Industry and Investment NSW' "Small Business September" events.
Proposed Issues to Address
The export conference will address some of the fundamental concerns facing potential or new to export businesses. It will cover a range of topics from export finance, pre-trade finance, hedging for small and medium enterprises, infrastructure services, export assistance, free trade agreements and freight forwarding basics.
Workshop attendees will also have the opportunity to hear from a successful local exporter who will share their trading experience and tips for creating a successful export business.
To attend this free event please click on the link below and register.
http://www.smallbusinessmonth.nsw.gov.au/Events.aspx?eventid=2348
