The State Government’s new trade promotion program for 2009-10 gives NSW’s exporters more opportunities in key international markets.

Minister for State Development Mr Ian Macdonald said the trade program was tailored to help exporters win business by targeting markets with growth potential and sectors in which NSW has considerable strength.

“Exporting is a very good way to grow a business and create jobs and the Government is committed to helping business owners and operators to succeed globally,” he said.

The trade promotion program, managed by the International Markets and Trade Division of Industry & Investment NSW, is offering trade missions and participation in international trade exhibitions in expanding markets like, China, India, Hong Kong, the Middle East, Singapore and New Zealand.

The program targets sectors in which NSW has strengths, such as financial and business services, manufacturing, mining, food and beverages, creative industries, and building and construction.

Exhibitions on the calendar include Medica 2009 in Germany, the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, Big Five 2009 in Dubai, all in November, CeBIT 2010 in Germany in March and Project Qatar 2010 in Doha in April.

Minister Macdonald said the trade promotion program helped businesspeople gain access to key decision makers that would be difficult, if not impossible, to contact if they were ‘going it alone’.

“In 2008-09, about 300 NSW companies took part in the program and expect total export sales of $165 million in the next 12 months.

More information on exporting is available at www.export.nsw.gov.au