TRADE AND FINANCE AUSTRALIA


Going global with government assistance


SUCCESSFUL EXPORTERS OFTEN CITE THE EXPORT MARKET DEVELOPMENT GRANT SCHEME AS A CRUCIAL FACTOR IN ENTERING MARKETS OVERSEAS. SHAREN JASSAR FROM GLOBAL EXCELLENCE EXPLAINS THE GUIDELINES.


assistance program for new and existing Australian businesses with an annual turnover of A$50m or less that are seeking to develop an export market. Administered by Austrade, the


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scheme is aimed at encouraging SMEs to develop export markets by reimbursing up to 50 percent of eligible export promotion expenses above A$10,000. In the 2009-10 financial year,


the total EMDG budget was $200m and over 5140 EMDG applications were received. Eligible businesses can claim export promotion expenses (above $10,000) such as overseas representatives, marketing consultants, visits to overseas markets, communications, free product samples, trade fairs, seminars, in-store promotions, promotional literature and advertising, patent and trademark registration and bringing overseas buyers to Australia. These can be claimed for activities undertaken during the financial year before the application period, or the previous two years for first-time grant recipients. “Funding export promotion activities


encourages businesses to engage in the types of activities that are most


he Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) scheme is an Australian Government financial


likely to result in export sales,” says Jassar. “By partially reimbursing export promotion expenses already incurred by businesses, the EMDG scheme also encourages businesses to make a commitment to exporting.” Jassar explains that funding


for export promotion encourages businesses to consider exporting when they may not have otherwise considered it, or are inhibited by the risks associated with marketing overseas. “EMDG assists with cash flow, which is often vital for small businesses embarking overseas for the first time.” “For 2010, the minimum grant


available is $5000 and the maximum is $200,000 per year, subject to funds available in the scheme, and businesses can claim a maximum of eight grants. However new changes to the scheme will take effect from 2011, therefore refer to our website for more details”, explains Jassar. Establishing eligibility can be


complicated and time-consuming for some businesses, particularly when it comes to business structure and what constitutes ‘Australian-made’. “Given our experience and in-depth


knowledge of the scheme, our team will determine a business’ eligibility and how to maximise our client’s return,” Jassar explains. “You can do it yourself, but you might not claim everything that


you are entitled to. Small mistakes can cost you a fortune. Therefore we will help you maximise your grant rebate every time.” Global Excellence offer a ‘no grant,


no fee’ service. “We only get paid when our clients receive their rebate,” Jassar says. Planning is the key. It’s important


that businesses plan their export marketing activities as part of their overall business plan and in doing so plan activities in a way that will assist them to make best use of the EMDG scheme. Global Excellence Pty Ltd was


founded by Sharen Jassar, the company’s Managing Director. Since establishment, the firm has enjoyed consistent growth and success due to its ability to retain clients and deliver excellent services. “We have assisted many Australian


companies from every industry gain access to EMDG. Sectors such as IT and Software development, food and beverage, design, fashion, biotechnology, education, aerospace and defence and many others”, explains Jassar. “In the past eight years, we have


helped Australian companies gain over $20 million in EMDG rebates”. p


AUSTRALIA AND THE ARAB COUNTRIES | 2010 57


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