EXPORTS

In reply to Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (26 June 2008).

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Federal/State Relations): I have been provided the following information:

The $9.5 million spent on international marketing development assisted in generating $168.25 million in export revenue for South Australia. Put into perspective, for every dollar spent, about $18 in export benefits was achieved.

It should also be noted that the results from marketing takes place over a period of time and does not occur immediately. As such, the actual export values may be even higher than the number just mentioned.

Because there are so many different factors involved, it is difficult to draw a direct correlation between the international marketing development activities by our overseas offices and new jobs generated in this State.

Export results are as much about job retention for successful exporting firms, as they are about job generation.

I would like to highlight that for the first time, South Australia has crossed the threshold of $10 billion in merchandise exports. In the 12 months to May 2008, South Australia's merchandise exports were worth $10.25 billion, up 12 per cent year-on-year.

The 12 per cent growth was the highest in Australia, even overtaking the 10 per cent growth of boom in resource rich Western Australia.