The McGowan Government has awarded $390,000 in funding to help local businesses grow their export capability across rapidly expanding Asian markets.
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will share the latest round of funding from the State Government's Access Asia Business Grants program, managed by Invest and Trade Western Australia.
The program is a key initiative under WA's Asian Engagement Strategy 2019-30, helping SMEs to enter new Asian markets.
Grant recipients will use the funding to improve their competitive edge in these markets, helping strengthen and diversify the State's economy by creating local jobs.
Key markets include China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and South Korea.
The 16 SMEs are spread across the priority sectors identified in the WA Government's economic development framework, Diversify WA. These include health and medical life sciences, primary industries, space industries, and tourism, events and creative industries.
The grants were also open to industry associations and Asian business councils to support their efforts in Asia.
In total, 69 Western Australian export-ready SMEs and business associations have been assisted by the program. In the first three rounds, 52 businesses received grants totalling more than $755,000.
Recipients will have six months to complete their projects, from July 1 until December 30, 2022.
The full list of successful Access Asia Business Grant Round 4 recipients and their projects can be found at https://www.jtsi.wa.gov.au/about-the-state/asian-engagement/access-asia
For information on how Invest and Trade WA can further assist WA businesses access Asian markets, visit https://www.investandtrade.wa.gov.au
As stated by State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister Roger Cook:
"Western Australia enjoys a long and rich history with our partners across key Asian markets.
"These grants are at the core of the McGowan Government's strategy to support local businesses, helping them gain a competitive foothold that improves their businesses and diversifies the State's economy by creating new local jobs.
"I congratulate the successful businesses and wish them every success as they fly the State flag across Asian markets."
