Industry Capability Network

SME'S AND EXPORT

Ross Gittins in the Sydney Morning Herald has pointed out the significant impact the SME sector has on exports for the Australian economy.

" ..... if you thought exporting was an activity restricted largely to big business, you'd be wrong. Of the almost 30,000 Australian businesses engaged in export, 32 per cent are medium-sized and 54 per cent are small." he writes.

The Industry Capability Network is working closely with Austrade to identify both demand side opportunities and supply side capabilities to enhance the global activities for all Australian businesses.

ICN and Austrade have databases where companies can register their capability and also their interest in or current activities in export markets.

For more information contact your local ICN office details of which can be found at www.icn.org.au.

AEEMA Excellence Awards

Australian companies are encouraged to enter the AEEMA Excellence Awards.  There are many categories in these prestigous Awards for the electrical, electronics and information communication and technology sectors.

Angus Robinson, Chief Executive of AEEMA, says that winning an AEEMA Excellence Award may lead to increased company profile, generate greater customer confidence, and open doors to valuable partnerships and external investment opportunities.

The AEEMA Excellence Awards and Gala Dinner – a key event associated with the Manufacturing Technology InFocus Exhibition – will be held on Wednesday 18 October 2006 in Melbourne.

For 2006, they have expanded the award categories to include:

• Outstanding Achievement in Australian Electrical Manufacturing
• Best New Product in Electronics/Hardware
• Best New Product in ICT/Software
• Excellence in Exporting (including new exporters)
• Cleaner, Greener, Smarter Excellence Award
• AusIndustry Award for Excellence in Innovation and Commercialisation of R&D
• Excellence in Smart Manufacturing
• Excellence in Commitment to Skills/Education
• Excellence in Technology Reporting by Media
• The Richard Brett Excellence in Individual Commitment to Industry Development Award

Please note that the deadline for submitting entries is fast approaching - Friday 23 June 2006. If you have not already indicated your intention to enter, we encourage you to do so by emailing Emma Johnson < mailto: ejohnson@aeema.asn.au > as soon as possible.

The nomination documentation is also available at http://www.aeema.asn.au/Default.aspx?ArticleID=628