GATEWAY BUSINESS PROGRAM

Ms BETTISON (Ramsay) (15:18): My question is to the Minister for Small Business. Can the minister update the house on how the Gateway Business Program is helping to expand South Australia's overseas exports?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (15:18): I thank the member for her question and her keen interest in small to medium-sized enterprises who are looking to export. The Gateway Business Program was designed to enable South Australian businesses to prepare for export markets. Successful applicants may receive up to $20,000 over two years for eligible projects. Applicants to the program must meet the following criteria:

be an Australian registered business based in South Australia;

be registered for GST;

turn over at least $150,000 a year and have been in business for at least two years;

own the product or service being promoted;

have tradeable goods or services;

be export capable for the intended market;

intend to trade goods or services made in South Australia or be able to demonstrate that the sale of your goods or services overseas will benefit the South Australian economy; and

have attended a relevant South Australian export workshop or demonstrate prior export capability.

I encourage all members to make their business constituents who are looking for an export market aware of this very good program. I recently approved round 4 of Gateway, in which $110,175 was distributed to seven companies. Recipients of the fourth round of the Gateway are very diverse, from the seafood industry to software for the health sector.

The successful businesses are Australian Diamond Seafood Marketing, Business and Risk Solutions, Clintel, Hastwell and Lightfoot, Mihell & Lycos, Pharmaceutical Packaging Professionals, Wellness and Lifestyle Australia. These companies are but a few that are increasing the volume of South Australia's overseas exports and pushing our economy forward.

Overseas exports from South Australia in the 12 months to January totalled $11.9 billion. This was an increase of $2.3 billion compared to the last calendar year. South Australia is outstripping overseas exports by the national average by 13 per cent. The Gateway Program is just one example of how the state government is supporting small to medium-sized businesses.

I take this opportunity to congratulate and thank those worthy businesses for playing their part in advancing our state's economy to the world, and wish them every success now and in the future.