Western Australian agrifood and beverage businesses in the regions have been given a boost by the McGowan Government to assist their recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on key Asian export markets.
The first round of grants from the International Competitiveness Co-investment Fund was released today, with 11 recipients throughout the State sharing in $874,817.
The grants will provide recipients with the support and confidence to adapt their enterprises to the 'new normal' of doing business in today's dynamic and challenging global marketplace.
Recipients are anticipated to leverage more than $1.56 million from the grant investments, generating new opportunities and jobs, enabling businesses to grow and thrive to the benefit of regional economies and communities.
Irongate Nominees from the Great Southern will use its $100,000 grant towards establishing an e-commerce website in multiple languages to market its high value Futari Wagyu beef, as part of a strategy to expand its sea freight distribution network after COVID-19 disrupted air freight.
WA Lupins will use its $76,000 grant towards building on its current snack product exports to Thailand by promoting lupin products and ingredients for human consumption in other Asian markets via a digital marketing campaign.
A $92,125 grant to Linley Valley Pork will aid its investigation of options to extend the shelf life of fresh, chilled pork sides so it can maintain its exports to Singapore via sea freight, which was employed to overcome disruptions to air freight as a result of the impact of COVID-19.
$75,000 has been awarded to Geraldton Fishermen's Co-operative to expand its current online marketing and sales system to include frozen products, as well as build awareness and relationships to diversify Western Rock Lobster sales into premium Asian markets.
To view the full list of International Competitiveness Co-investment Fund grants, visit https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/ICCF-round-1
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"Western Australia is leading the nation in its post-COVID-19 recovery initiatives, like investing in the International Competitiveness Co-investment Fund to support agrifood and beverage businesses to embrace innovation and adapt to the new global operating environment.
"These recipients are pursuing creative business strategies, innovative technologies and alternative options to engage with Asian markets, customers and consumers, and our funding support will bolster these efforts.
"The grant recipients span a diverse range of agrifood and beverage businesses, including meat, seafood, wine, grains, truffles and apiculture, across multiple regions from the north to the south of the State.
"WA agrifood and beverage businesses are embracing change and adjusting to the 'new normal' to overcome market constraints to maintain and build market share in key high value, premium export markets."
