Trade and Investment

Mr TEAGUE (Heysen) (15:06): My question is to the Minister for Trade and Investment. Can the minister please update the house on how the Marshall Liberal government is supporting exporters and encouraging investments in jobs in South Australia?

The Hon. S.J.R. PATTERSON (Morphett—Minister for Trade and Investment) (15:07): I thank the member for Heysen. Of course, I am very sad to have received his question, but also note that he is a fantastic advocate for the Adelaide Hills, which has so many exporting companies there. Wine, especially, is very important to them.

I reported to the house just this week that we have had the highest ever number of merchandise exports in South Australia's history, with $13.2 billion of money coming into our economy. Of course, it does not come without challenges. The wine industry, which I spoke about, certainly is very challenging, and that is why in the most recent budget we did announce a $5.4 million Wine Export Recovery and Expansion Program.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.J.R. PATTERSON: That's a program—

An honourable member interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister has the call.

The Hon. S.J.R. PATTERSON: The $5.4 million Wine Export Recovery and Expansion Program concentrates on three key areas, whether that's in existing markets with volumes in the UK, Canada or the US; in the emerging markets, such as Japan, South Korea or Hong Kong; or whether that's in the more emerging markets, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Scandinavia and India.

In terms of those established markets, we have already launched the US Market Entry Program, it's great to inform you, member for Heysen, and the house. We have also launched now an Indian Wine Expansion Program. As I said, that's a developing market for South Australian wineries to get into, whether they are already existing in the Indian market and looking to expand or whether they are trying to be new entrants to that. Of course, it's got a massive growing middle class—

Ms Hildyard interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Reynell! Minister, please be seated. Members opposite, these matters are particularly significant for the member for Heysen and to me in my capacity as the member for Kavel, and I wish to hear the answer.

The Hon. S.J.R. PATTERSON: As I said, they have a growing middle and upper class in India with an appetite for wine. COVID has meant that a lot of those middle-class Indian consumers are turning to e-commerce, so there are massive opportunities there and it's just a matter of how can South Australian wineries get access to those.

We are running a 12-month program to help introduce wineries to importers and distributors over there in some key target cities. New Delhi and Mumbai are certainly massive cities, where there are great opportunities. To help us to communicate that message we have a fantastic ambassador, a Master of Wine, so highly distinguished and the only Master of Wine in India, Miss Sonal Holland. The only Master of Wine in India, she is a distinguished writer, a wine commentator and highly respected. She will provide great advocacy for South Australian wineries to get access into that Indian market. As she said, playing the role of a program ambassador, she made the point that India is one of the youngest countries in the world, with 65 per cent of their 1.3 billion population under the age of 35.

It's a great opportunity for South Australian wineries. That will run for the next 12 months, and I encourage all wineries interested in entering that Indian market to really reach out and find out more about this program to help them grow their business and, in turn, employ more South Australians.