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Queensland exporters looking to access new markets can now get a kickstart of up to $25,000 through the Palaszczuk Government's New Market Program.
Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said the latest $400,000 funding round allows great Queensland businesses to tap into new overseas opportunities.
"Because we talk to businesses, our government understands the challenges they have faced since the beginning of the pandemic," the Treasurer said.
"COVID has reminded us of the importance of pursuing a diversity of export markets.
"With our New Market Program, delivered through Trade and Investment Queensland, we're offering businesses up to $25,000 in matched funding.
"These grants are targeted at giving exporters that breadth of export markets to make them more resilient to changing global circumstances.
"This funding can be used to produce promotional collateral, for sample distribution and market-specific certifications, or to attend international tradeshows," he said.
"We're giving local businesses the boost they need to reach buyers in priority markets like Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East, with the support of international TIQ commissioners."
Since being introduced in 2021, the New Market Program has seen 33 Queensland businesses share in almost $800,000.
Mainie Australia from Cairns received a grant in 2021 and used it to become the official provider of Indigenous Australian fashion and apparel at Expo 2020 in Dubai.
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said Mainie Australia's success serves as inspiration for other businesses from the Far North.
"Mainie Australia's creations are more than fashion, they're wearable art," Ms Lui said.
"They share and celebrate the stories of First Nations people – our stories – both here in Queensland and now internationally too.
"The New Market Program unlocked a unique global platform for Mainie Australia, one that wouldn't have been possible otherwise.
"I hope other local businesses look at what Mainie have been able to do through this initiative and strive to follow in their footsteps."
Mainie Australia was launched in 2015 by Gunggari Aboriginal woman Charmaine Saunders, who is now the company's managing director.
Ms Saunders said the support of TIQ's New Market Program was central to Mainie Australia's recent success in the United Arab Emirates.
"Every piece we produce tells its own 60,000-year-old Dreamtime story, embracing a profound First Nations cultural heritage," Ms Saunders said.
"Our handcrafted garments feature authentic artwork by contemporary Aboriginal artists from Far North Queensland and traditional Warlpiri women artists from the Central Desert.
"The New Market Program grant allowed us to showcase our garments to an engaged international audience at Expo 2020 Dubai.
"The response has been very positive, and we are now expanding into the United States with the continued assistance of TIQ, to meet demand in the US for authentic, socially responsible and sustainable clothing."
Applications for the latest round of New Market Program funding are open till Monday 23 May.
