Page 3383 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 17 August 2011
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MR BARR: I am pleased to say that we celebrated the 10th birthday of the ACT Exporters Network only a few weeks ago and that the ACT export sector reached $1.1 billion in the 2009-10 financial year. That is an eight per cent increase over the previous period. Clearly, as I have indicated before, that is off the back of significant strength in services exports.
This strong performance by our business sector in the face of what we would all acknowledge were significant global economic challenges in the last few years has been a fantastic achievement by the Exporters Network. I think the efforts of that network over the last 10 years are worthy of some acknowledgment in this place.
Since 2003-04 ACT goods and services exports have grown from $840 million to that figure of more than $1.1 billion, an annual growth rate of just shy of five per cent. It reflects the fact that ACT companies utilise our comparative advantages, particularly knowledge and skills, and improved information and communication technology to do business on the global stage.
In recent years we have seen strong growth in the export of technical and research and development services, which grew over 30 per cent in 2009-10 and are now bringing tens of millions of dollars into our local economy. Importantly, these services are supporting high income jobs and providing a considerable return to the ACT region.
DR BOURKE: A supplementary, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Supplementary, Dr Bourke.
DR BOURKE: Thank you, Speaker. Can the minister advise what community views he is aware of in relation to the government programs outlined in his earlier answer?
MR BARR: I thank Dr Bourke for his interest in the matter. There is clearly very strong support across the ACT business community for this export focus. I think there is a desire from the business community to see tripartisan support for this export push and I have no reason to be concerned that that support will not be forthcoming as we continue our expansion into the export services sector.
Our work with the ACT Exporters Network in recent times has delivered the export symposium “Towards 2020”. That was the first of its kind held in the territory and it provided an opportunity for exporters to share their experiences and to develop strategies to assist industry to continue to develop. Through the budget, of course, we provide funding for trade missions and a range of programs such as the exporting government services pilot program that I mentioned earlier.
I would also like to draw members’ attention to the business in focus month that I launched earlier this week, which takes place in September. The program was made available via the major sponsor, the Canberra Times, in Monday’s paper. I have copies available and it is certainly available online. I would encourage members to participate and to encourage those they know in the Canberra business community to participate in the business in focus month. It is an important opportunity to continue to develop the private economy in the territory.
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