Entries are now open for the 2018 Australian Export Awards and local exporters are being encouraged to enter.

There are many great local businesses exporting to different part of the world and I know these export businesses have the capacity to become an Australia exporter of the year.

The Mid-North Coast export businesses contribute significantly to the local economy and jobs and it would be great to see a local business recognised with a national award.

Applicants first enter into the New South Wales export awards program, before the winners progress to the finals of the national event in Canberra in December.

Applications are accepted across 13 national export award categories, including the new Emerging Exporters category for businesses just starting their export journey, demonstrating Australia’s diverse export sector. Other categories include Digital Technologies, e-Commerce, Health and Biotechnology, Regional Exporter and Small Business.

Australia’s exporters make a substantial contribution to our economy. Last year, the Australian Export Awards’ 77 national finalists generated more than $3.9 billion in export sales in 2016-17 and employed more than 31,000 people.

The region’s exporters are enjoying unprecedented access to the world as the federal Coalition government pursues Australia’s most ambitious trade agenda.

Earlier this year the Coalition concluded the TPP-11, which will eliminate more than 98 per cent of tariffs in a trade zone with a combined GDP of $13.7 trillion, and next month we will launch negotiations for a trade agreement with the European Union.

These agreements build on the north Asian trade agreements the Coalition secured with China, Japan and Korean.

Visit exportawards.gov.au for more information and how to enter.