SME Exporters should receive their full EMDG entitlements for 2009 and 2010

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

EMDG Recipient businesses generated more than  $5 billion worth of exports and has employed more than 60,000 Australians. For the investment of approximately $150 – 200m million, the recipient businesses last year generated $5 billion worth of exports!! A huge  multiplier win for of the  EMDG Scheme says Harvey Gartrell of  BSI.

 Gartrell points out that the EMDG scheme is a highly effective and major support mechanism for export oriented SMEs. It provides critical funding during the costly and complex initial phases of identifying and establishing new export markets, and helps business harvest the benefits of free trade agreements negotiated by the Government.

 SME’s need the support of the EMDG especially now that  they  are faced with a high Aussie Dollar and Tightening Credit as a result of the GFC, says Gartrell . The Government’s failure to provide additional funding in the budget for this scheme places further unnecessary pressures on export-oriented Australian businesses and hampers their efforts to realise existing and future export opportunities.

 Exporters who were budgeting on receiving their full EMDG entitlement for 2009 EMDG Claims are expected to get only 60% of this amount. This is expected to be a lot less in 2010, as funding has reduced from $200m to $150m.

 The Government to reconsider the EMDG funding, as it did in 2008-09 and 2009-10, when it provided extra funding to ensure exporters received their expected entitlements.

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