Winners of the 2010 ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards will progress to the 49th Australian Export Awards as national finalists and compete for an opportunity to win the coveted Prime Minister’s Australian Exporter of the Year.

Why should you enter the Awards?

• The ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards are prestigious business awards.
• The ACT Award categories offer an opportunity for exporting businesses of any size or in any industry to enter. The benefits of winning a prestigious award can mean entering is a worthwhile investment of your time.

The ACT and region has a dynamic and successful exporting community

• Many of the past category winners are well-known – names such as Aspen Medical, the Centre for Customs & Excise Studies, CEA Technologies, Inland Trading, stratsec, Noetic Group, Intelledox and of course the 2009 ACT Exporter of the Year, Sentinel.
• But each year, refreshingly new exporting businesses emerge as category winners – Lucy Media, Windlab Systems, CIT Solutions and Dyesol Limited.
• As either an established or new exporter, your company could join the list of successful ACT region exporters.

Enter the Awards, give your business a health check, and enjoy the rewards and recognition associated with the Awards.

• Winning an award distinguishes you as a market leader, boosting your company’s reputation as a successful exporter.
• You gain exposure to influential and valuable networks, which can open up new business opportunities.
• You increase your brand awareness and generate marketing opportunities.

Applications close on 20 July and the presentation of Awards will be held on 8 September.

The Award organisers will shortly start to contact ACT and region firms to seek your interest in entering the awards and to offer assistance to potential applicants. If you are interested in talking to the organisers, please contact michael.cliff@cliffassoc.com.au or cathy.atkins@communicationtoolbox.com.au

The 2010 ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards are managed and presented by the Canberra Business Council on the behalf of the ACT Government and sponsorsed by the Centre for Customs & Excise Studies, ACT Exporters’ Network, the Export Finance & Insurance Corporation and Austrade.

Sentinel, an ACT-based environmental consulting company that specialises in the design, implementation and operation of remote monitoring systems has been servicing the mining industry in Africa since 2000. 

“Our experience working in Africa has been terrific.  Whilst demanding and challenging, our work in Africa has been fulfilling, educational and profitable” says Rod Sandison, Managing Director Sentinel.

Australian mining investment in Africa is massive and by some estimates worth more than $20 billion. Sentinel, are just one of hundreds of Australian service companies who have entered the African market to provide to provide logistical and technical support to the mining sector.

Sentinel’s longevity in Africa has much to do with the enormous short-fall in the supply of educated and experienced personnel willing to operate in harsh and security challenged countries in Africa.

“Throughout the past ten years, Sentinel has worked to develop the skills base of its local African workers as well as developing partnerships with in-country professionals” says Rod.

Significant oil discoveries recently in Ghana and Uganda mean these countries are likely to show exceptionally high growth rates and present enormous opportunities for ACT companies like Sentinel in the future.

Education & Training is another area where the ACT has much to offer Africa.  The Centre for Customs & Excise Studies at the University of Canberra operates in a number of countries in East and Southern Africa. 

“All our activities in Africa are run in collaboration with African partners who understand the local culture, have extensive professional networks and have the ability to tailor our products and services to meet the specific requirements of the African market” says Professor David Widdowson, CEO, Centre for Customs & Excise Studies.

Across the African continent there is a growing appreciation of the benefits of education and an acknowledgement that domestic institutions alone cannot meet the insatiable demand for knowledge and specialist training.

Despite the many challenges that exist to doing business in Africa, ACT companies remain fairly optimistic about growth in Africa.  

ACT firm Corcon, produces environmentally sustainable formwork for the use in the construction of low-cost housing.  Corcon are currently investigating joint venture deals in Ethiopia and the Sudan to supply low-cost and environmentally sustainable housing on behalf of the local governments.

“To be sustainable in Africa in the long-term, businesses need to have a competitive advantage.  We are competing against cheaper Chinese, Indian and Middle East products and its vital we remain competitive and offer a superior alternative product” says Andy Stodulka, Managing Director, Corcon.

In 2006 Windlab Systems, a global wind energy development company were looking to break into new markets beyond Australia and New Zealand.  South Africa emerged as a market that had huge potential growth in the green energy industry but at the time, the wind energy market in South Africa was completely under developed.

Windlab worked with a South African partner who was invaluable in helping the company to navigate the South African regulatory environment for renewables.  “The risk we’ve borne in opening up the South African market is that these regulations have taken a while to be developed by government” said Dr Nathan Steggel, President – North America, Windlab Developments.

Windlab together with their South African partners are well poised to fully develop a number of large wind farms in South Africa over the coming years.

Africa is a largely untapped market for Australia firms and the potential for partnerships is enormous.  For ACT businesses looking to explore opportunities on the African continent, South Africa with its global focus, strategic geographical location and world class infrastructure presents a highly competitive investment location and a stepping stone into opportunities in the broader African region.

Tips for ACT businesses looking to explore opportunities in Africa

• Consider partnering with a local business.  “Look to complement your Australian-based capabilities with local knowledge of the African market” says Professor David Widdowson, Centre for Customs & Excise Studies.
• Stay in local guesthouses.  “They are much friendlier and the service is better than in most hotels.  Importantly it’ll save you money” says Dr Nathan Steggel, Windlab Systems.
• Don’t believe all you read in the media or hear from aid organisations.  South Africa is an emerging market underpinned by an abundant supply of natural resources, well developed financial, legal, communications, energy and transport sectors and modern infrastructure, enhanced in recent times by new and improved infrastructure to support the hosting of the 2010 World Cup. 
• As will all new markets it is important businesses conduct thorough market research and not to underestimate the local competition.  Even the biggest companies have struggled in South Africa because they failed to undertake detailed market analysis. 

 For more information contact Ms Cathy Atkins, Australia-Africa Tradelinks & Networks on cathyatkins@australiaafricatradelinks.com.au or Chris Horsburgh, ACT & Region Manager, Austrade at chris.horsburgh@austrade.gov.au

The ACT Exporters’ Network is proudly sponsored by the ACT Government, Canberra Business Council, the Centre for Customs & Excise Studies and AusIndustry.

As General Manager of Recruitment Systems, an ICT software company based in Canberra I have always seen real value in the recognition and profile that awards programs such as the ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards offer local exporting businesses.

Given the importance of exporting to the Australian economy, the objective of the Awards program is primarily showcase the ACT and Region’s top exporters. For Recruitment Systems, the Awards play an important role in increasing our profile and credibility overseas, particularly in the more than ten overseas markets we do business in.

For 2009 ACT Chief Minister’s Exporter of the Year Sentinel, an environmental monitoring solutions firm, it has been a long and challenging road to exporting success. Last year was an extremely successful year for Sentinel. In addition to receiving the coveted ACT Chief Minister’s Exporter of the Year Award, Sentinel placed 28th in BRW’s Fast 100 Companies for 2009.

“Through entering the ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards we are able to track our firm’s development and reemphasise our credentials as a robust, financially sound and well managed small to medium enterprise” says Rod Sandison, Managing Director, Sentinel.

In addition to tracking its progress, Sentinel has found the Awards Program delivers the recognition for its staff and that extra bit of motivation required to continue expanding into new markets. “Winning the ACT Chief Minister’s Exporter of the Year Award and advancing as a National Finalist to the Australian Export Awards sends a clear message to our customers that we are serious about our business and that we will be there for the long term no matter what our size” says Rod Sandison.

I would strongly urge ACT & Surrounding Region exporters to consider entering the Awards. The process in itself provides the opportunity for reflection of your business processes. In Sentinel’s case, the Award has brought recognition for their staff and that extra motivation effort required to continue to demonstrate excellence in entering and succeeding in new markets.

Applications open in late April and will close in late July 2010. The ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards Presentation Luncheon will be held on 8 September 2010. If you are interested in learning more about the Awards Program and eligibility criteria please email michael.cliff@cliffassoc.com.au or cathy.atkins@optusnet.com.au.

The 2010 ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards are managed and presented by Canberra Business Council on the behalf of the ACT Government.

Sentinel Pty Ltd provides specialised services to clients in the Mining and Government sectors, including design, implementation and operation of remote environmental monitoring solutions.  Sentinel also won the Small to Medium Services Award at this year’s Export Awards 

Director, Rod Sandison accepted the Award on behalf of Sentinel’s employees. “The Sentinel team has been integral to the success of the company. The team consists of individuals with varied skill sets, who come from diverse cultural backgrounds yet, together, they maintain a strong work ethic and a dedication to excellence”.

“The ACT Export Awards have rightly earned the reputation as one of the most prestigious and significant industry awards on the Territory’s business calendar.  This in large part due to the evident ACT Government support for the Awards themselves and, more generally, to the growing level of commitment to exporting within our small to medium businesses”   Chris Faulks, CEO, Canberra Business Council said today.  

“For nine years Sentinel has been exporting its products and services to some of the harshest and most security-challenged locations in the world, with clients spread across the globe from Africa to Asia Pacific and the Dominican Republic” said Chris Faulks.

The ACT’s Emerging Exporter Award was given to Windlab Systems, a global wind energy development company.  Their track record in progressing commercially viable sites is reflected in a growing portfolio spanning Canada, USA, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Other notable category winners include Aspen Medical, a provider of healthcare services to remote areas or regions of high demand and recent recipient of BWR’s most Successful Private Business (under $100 million) of the Year Award; Lucy Media Pty Ltd, a Canberra based media and entertainment company; Dysol, a world leader in the development and commercialisation of third generation photovoltaics and CIT Solutions who were praised for their work in recruiting over 1000 international students from over 75 countries annually.

Recruitment Systems Pty Ltd and Stratsec, both category winners at last year’s ACT Export Awards continued to demonstrate strong export performance taking out the Small Business and Information & Communication Technology Awards respectively in 2009.

“Motivating competitive ACT companies to become exporters and growing an export culture in the ACT through raising awareness of export opportunities is an important factor in
ensuring sustained export growth, employment and economic activity in the ACT” said Kevin Reilly, Chairperson of Canberra Business Council’s International Business Taskforce. 

The 2009 ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards category winners:
Arts and Entertainment Award –  Lucy Media Pty Ltd
Education and Training Award - CIT Solutions Pty Ltd
Emerging Exporter Award      - Windlab Systems Pty Ltd
Information and Communication Technology Award - stratsec
Large Services Award      - Aspen Medical
Small Business Award       - Recruitment Systems Pty Ltd
Small to Medium Manufacturer Award - Dyesol Limited
Small to Medium Services Award  -  Sentinel Pty Ltd
The winners of the 2009 ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards will automatically progress as national finalists to the 47th Australian Export Awards where one winner will receive the Prime Minister’s Exporter of the Year Award.

For more information on the ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards please contact Brooke Anderson at brooke.anderson@canberrabusinesscouncil.com.au or 0400 090 452.