More small businesses will have the chance to harness opportunities in new and expanding markets overseas under a new initiative based at Dubbo.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Regional Development Australia (RDA) Orana is set to ramp up its work in export development, a key priority.
It's secured funding to establish a new "export hub", which will be focused on the mining equipment, technology and services sector.
The federal government has granted $234,887 over two years for the initiative, which is being matched by RDA Orana.
RDA Orana chairman John Walkom anticipated it would be a boon to the region.
"This is a great outcome for the region, the funding for this hub will boost the economy by getting more businesses to access new and expanding markets and will be integral to creating business growth in the region," Mr Walkom said.
He offered thanks to assistant minister for trade, Parkes MP Mark Coulton, and Calare MP Andrew Gee for their support.
"The opportunity stems from the federal government's Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Export Hubs program, designed to support the development of export hubs of local, regional and Indigenous brands through business collaborations," Mr Walkom said.
"The program will include the Orana and the Central West, incorporating the major mining regions of Cobar, Dubbo, Mudgee, Orange, Peak Hill, Parkes and Condoblin."
RDA Orana director Megan Dixon said export development had been a key pillar for them in the past year.
She saw the funding as providing "a unique opportunity for expansion and prosperity in the region".
"The region is proud of its economic heritage found on a strong base of agriculture and resources but this new export hub will build on the foundation strengthening and creating growth for the mining equipment and technology industries," Mrs Dixon said.
RDA Orana plans to have recruited a business development manager for the hub by the end of May.
Mrs Dixon said the export hub would increase investment, connect businesses, and expose potential collaborations through the hosting of events and training seminars throughout the Orana and Central West regions.
The new business development manager would also have the responsibility of highlighting possible working partnerships in the region and drilling down into individual business identifying development opportunities for potential export streams into Asia and other countries, she said.
The hub would also support the development of funding applications for participants to programs that assist export development, especially in mining automation, advance mining technologies and strategically linking international clusters to organisations accelerating global supply chain pathways, she said.
Would you like more Dubbo and regional news?
You can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Daily Liberal. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up to our free or subscriber only newsletters below: