The huge trade potential of the Northern Rivers region will be the focus of the latest NSW Government ASEAN Market Update for NSW Businesses series being held in the Tweed today.
The updates provide local businesses with information about trends and export opportunities across Southeast Asian markets.
Southeast Asia is the fastest growing region in the world, expected to become the world's fourth largest economy by 2040, and NSW is uniquely positioned to grow with the region.
Southeast Asia is NSW's second-largest trading partner, with two-way trade in goods growing by more than nine per cent in the past year. Continued rapid growth is expected in sectors where NSW businesses excel, such as food and beverages, health, and the digital economy.
Today's session will bring together around 50 participants, including local businesses and industry groups at Husk Farm Distillery in North Tumbulgum.
Husk Farm Distillery has made hand-crafted rum in the region since 2012 and is an experienced exporter to Southeast Asia, having benefitted from NSW Government support, particularly in the Indonesian market.
Speakers at the forum include Southeast export experts, and NSW exporters, who have already utilised Investment NSW's support services to build connections and drive export sales across the region.
The ASEAN Market Updates series is supported by other initiatives led by Investment NSW to help small and medium businesses pursue international growth objectives in Southeast Asia and other important export markets around the globe.
In 2024/25, these included supporting cleantech companies to export to Malaysia and Singapore, and wine to be exported to Vietnam.
The ASEAN Market Updates series began with sessions in Western Sydney last October, and Wollongong earlier this year, with more locations to come.
For more information on how the NSW Government supports businesses to export, visit Investment NSW: https://www.investment.nsw.gov.au/export/
NSW Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said:
"Exporting is crucial for the growth and resilience of NSW businesses.
"Higher exports lead to higher wages and more employment, driving long-term prosperity across our state.
"Southeast Asia is entering a golden age.
"It is the fastest growing region in the world, with strong potential for NSW exporters in sectors like agrifood, life sciences, healthcare, and technology.
"My ASEAN Market Updates series is all about helping businesses to crack new markets and accelerate their exports with Southeast Asia, where our two-way trade is worth $33.6 billion and is continuing to grow.
"Today's session in the Tweed follows previous market update sessions in Western Sydney and Wollongong with more locations to come."
Minister for Small Business and Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said:
"Businesses in Northern NSW are doing some incredible things and it is wonderful to be able to support them to expand their reach across the world.
"I have a long-standing interest and engagement with our ASEAN neighbours, as does our Northern NSW region, but there remains enormous potential for our small businesses to take those relationships to the next level."
Parliamentary Secretary for Trade and Small Business and Duty MLC for Tweed the Hon Emily Suvaal MLC said:
"The Tweed is home to so many innovative businesses with vast export potential, and Southeast Asia presents a golden opportunity for growth.
"The NSW Government is here to support local businesses every step of the way to ensure they can compete and thrive on the world stage."
