Leading exporters from a diverse range of industries, including agribusiness, manufacturing, creative arts and advanced technologies are finalists for the 2024 Premier's NSW Export Awards.
Now in its 62nd year, the awards celebrate the success and resilience of NSW exporters, who help grow the NSW economy.
In 2022-23, NSW exports were valued at $150 billion, representing 19 per cent of Gross State Product.
Sixty-eight NSW businesses have been named as finalists, representing categories including Western Sydney, Women in International Business and NSW Exporter of the Year.
The NSW awards will also celebrate the state's dynamic export partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - NSW's third largest trading partner and a region projected to become the world's fourth largest economy by 2040.
The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at Sydney Town Hall on Friday 11 October 2024.
NSW winners in national categories will then progress as finalists representing NSW at the Australian Export Awards in Canberra in November.
For a full list of finalists for the 2024 Premier's NSW Export Awards visit the Export Council of Australia: https://export.org.au/premiers-nsw-export-awards/
The announcement of the finalists coincides with a suite of new opportunities released today as part of the 2024-25 NSW Export program, which will support up to 200 businesses to chase their international growth objectives.
This year's program will help NSW small to medium enterprises (SME's) in established industries such as Food and Beverage and Health, as well as emerging export sectors including Cleantech, Space and Mining, Equipment, Technology and Services, export to markets in Southeast Asia, the Americas, Middle East, India, UK, Greater China and North Asia.
Briar Ridge Vineyard has taken part in four program opportunities to the United States, UK, Japan and South Korea. The winery, based at Mount View in the Hunter Valley, is a family-owned business that's been operating for 52 years.
The program supported Briar Ridge to pursue export opportunities through market introductions and education around regulatory issues, and local pricing. With the support of Investment NSW, Briar Ridge is growing its presence in their target markets, including the United States.
For more information on the 2024-25 NSW Export Program, and the opportunities available for businesses to export visit Investment NSW.
Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said:
"From food and beverages to advanced manufacturing, NSW exporters are pushing the boundaries of innovation and taking their products to new and exciting markets.
"Their success is our success, and we pay tribute to all this year's finalists in the Premier's NSW Export Awards, who are showcasing to the world the best of what NSW has to offer.
"With the number of businesses in NSW climbing by more than 25,000 in 2023-24, many will be setting their sights on selling their goods and services overseas, helping to further bolster the NSW bottom line.
"The NSW Government is committed to unlocking the export potential of the state. One in five jobs in Australia is supported through trade, playing a significant role in driving NSW's economic future.
"The new round of programs seeks to help NSW companies overcome barriers to expansion by providing them with the tools, know-how and market introductions to succeed and flourish internationally."
Briar Ridge Vineyard General Manager Michael Bentley said:
"Our wines are fantastic, but we needed to let more people know how fantastic they are.
"As a small business looking to export, the challenge is getting in front of people, getting those market introductions and support on the ground in the countries you're going to.
"The help of Investment NSW has been really beneficial for us - we first took part in a program to South Korea and were supported with translation services, one-on-one meetings and attendance at a food and wine exhibition where we were front and centre with key players looking to buy Australian wine.
"More recently, we've cracked the largest fine wine market in the United States - exporting to five states - and that's in part thanks to NSW Government support."
