Federal, Tasmanian governments commit additional funding support for exports

Fruit Growers Tasmania | Tuesday, 23 March 2021, 9.00am

The Federal Government has announced an extension to the International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) until the end of September 2021. This program provides air freight capacity and support for high-value agricultural goods being exported to destination markets across Asia and the Pacific.

Complementing this announcement, the Australian Government has previously announced a further $72.7 million in new investment in December to help Australian farming, forestry and fishing exporters to expand and diversify their export markets in 2021 as part of its Agri-Business Expansion Initiative. The funding will provide scaled up export support services to help over 2,000 Australian agri-food exporters expand their international markets, greater access to market intelligence, matched grants for government and industry associations to work together on market expansion, and additional technical experts to open and expand market access.

The package comprises:

$42.9 million to scale up support to over 2,000 agri-food exporters each year through Austrade’s services. Austrade will also work with industry bodies to deliver targeted advice and trade missions (where possible) to help exporters grow in existing and new markets.
A $18.4 million expansion of the governments successful Agricultural Trade and Market Access program (ATMAC). Through the revised ATMAC program the government will partner with industry associations to improve Australia’s access to overseas markets, including through research, training, and capital works that support improved market diversification.
$3.5 million for additional short-term Agriculture Counsellors to rapidly build targeted relationships and ensure a sharp focus on actions necessary to grow agricultural exports, complementing the work of our existing Counsellor network.
A $6.8 million investment in enhanced scientific and technical market access capability, expanding the number of Australian scientists who are pursuing industry priorities in emerging and growth markets.
A $1 million boost to our market intelligence capability to give exporters the information they need to grow their exports.

Complementing these announcements, the Tasmanian Government has committed additional funding for the highly successful Accelerating Trade Grant Program for eligible business activities that will be completed by June 2021. This program provides Tasmanian businesses may be eligible to apply for up to $10,000 in matched funding to expand their presence and introduce Tasmanian products and services to the world.

Eligible activities include:

Promotional activities, materials and supporting services
Market research and business matching services
Inbound buyer visits to Tasmania.

View Accelerating Trade Grant Program