Exporters claiming Export Grants (EMDG) are expected to get their fulll allocation by June 2012 (up to a $150,000 Grant!)

Please find attached presentation on the Export Market Development Scheme as administered by Austrade

BSI EMDG Presentation.pdf

A Coalition Government will increase the EMDG cap to $200 million effective from 1 July 2011 restoring the $50 million funding shortfall. Furthermore, in government the Coalition will examine the merits of removing the cap altogether.

The proposed changes to the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) Act introduced into the Parliament today aim to both extend the life of the EMDG scheme and better balance the cost of the scheme to its budget.

The EMDG Scheme has been fundamental to Australian SME’s success in their efforts to increase Australia’s export performance and expand market access.

Our worst expectations have been realised and the amount for the EMDG budget for next year (Grant year 09/10) is $150 million compared to $200m allocated in 2009. BSI and the AIEX will continue to lobby for additional funding...

The Federal Budget is reducing the allocation of support for SME Exporters through the EMDG Scheme from $200m - $150m…. if anything, support for this vital part of the economy should be increased!

Austrade EMDG update July 09

The Export Market Development Grant scheme has been given a $50 million boost in the federal budget, after it was feared nearly 2000 businesses would be forced to go without crucial payments.

With all the Economic Turmoil in the recent months businesses need all the assistance they can get from the government to stay competitive in this world market. For 35 years the Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) has helped numerous businesses access assistance to expand into overseas markets and boost the Australian economy.

On 21 November 2007, the Opposition's trade spokesman, Simon Crean, will announce the Australian Labor Party's trade policy. He will commit a Labor Government to boosting the funding of the Export Market Development Grants by $A50 million.

There have been criticisms of the Export Market Development Grants (EMDGs) scheme in Australia. The Australian Government set up the scheme to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to export by reimbursing their promotional costs.

A key objective of Austrade is to increase the number of exporters, increase export value and international business outcomes. To do this Austrade has recognised the important part Consultants have in helping them promote and manage the EMDG Scheme.

The Australian ICT marketplace is relatively small, so companies need to expand internationally in order to pursue stronger growth opportunities.

Globalisation has also lead to increased competition in the Australian marketplace. As a result, companies need to become more competitive in order to successfully compete for contracts and one way to do this is to go offshore.

The Federal Government’s Exporting Marketing Development Grant (EMDG) scheme – now extended for a further five years and revised in favour of SMEs – is now a significant incentive for SMEs considering developing overseas markets. By Ivan Kaye

AUSTRALIAN manufacturing exporters face a number of challenges, with high exchange rates and major competition coming from China and other manufacturers around the world. In this increasingly competitive marketplace it is vital for manufacturers to fully understand their overseas markets and strategically plan their export initiatives.

The Export Market Development Grant Scheme as Administered by Austrade has gone through a review and there are a number of changes that have been made with effect from 1 July 2006, that bodes well for our clients.

In January 2006, the Hon Mark Vaile MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, announced the continuation of the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme for a further five years, until the end of 2010-11.

Austrade are advising exporters that 3,277 grants were paid in 2004/05 for a total value of $123.9m and an average grant of $37,145. The first tranche for 2005 increases to $70k from $50k

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is greatly concerned at the likely run-down in the EMDGS Program as a result of capped funding since 1996/97.

Ocean and Earth at Sussex Inlet and Air Affairs Australia in South Nowra are two Shoalhaven firms that have benefited from the Federal Governments ‘Export Market Development Grant’ (EMDG), which has grown by 5% on the year before.

JOANNA GASH, MP , Federal Member for Gilmore

In 2002, the Government stated its intention to double the number of exporters by 2006.

Exporters who claimed their 2002 and 2003 Export Market Development Grants did not receive their full entitlement. For the financial year ending 2003, 4163 companies claimed grants, up from 3391 in 2001-02.

Engineers Australia is the peak body for engineering practitioners in Australia. It is the largest and most diverse engineering association in Australia with 76,000 members.

source:- engineers australia website