Guidelines for applying under the Round 4 of the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program have been released, the federal government has announced, with funding between $20,000 to $80,000 available.
The round is scheduled to open for SMEs on November 12, and include a test – designed by the Export Council of Australia – available to guide businesses hoping to prove that they are “export-ready”.
Trade minister Don Farrell said in a statement on Tuesday: “…we’re encouraging Australian businesses to export by offering significantly larger Export Market Development Grants… along with free export training, information and advice.”
Tier 1 applicants under the program must either complete the test or complete Austrade-recognised export training. Businesses in this tier have not exported before and “are ready to start exporting and promoting products or services”.
Tier 2 and Tier 3 companies under the scheme are already exporting and seeking to expand within existing or new markets.
(Criteria are available here.)
“By helping businesses understand the practical steps to international trade, we can improve the longer-term success of Australian businesses seeking to grow globally,” said ECA CEO, Arnold Jorg, of the new test.
More information on the EMDG is available here.
Picture: credit Captain Albert E. Theberge, NOAA Corps (ret.)