Member Login
High costs at home and pressure to innovate are challenging Australian exporters
26 Mar 2019 | Archive
“High costs at home and the need to come up with new or improved products and services are major challenges facing Australian business as they fight to stay competitive in overseas markets”, James Pearson, CEO of Australia’s largest network of businesses, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said today, ahead of the launch of the Australian Chamber’s Fourth National Trade Survey.
“At the same time, according to the survey, Australia’s exporters are yet to take full advantage of trade deals with a wide range of countries, relying overwhelmingly on China and heavily on New Zealand, Singapore and the United States,” Mr Pearson added.
“Australia’s role as a trade and investment partner to some of the world’s largest economies has allowed us to create jobs, wealth and opportunities for millions of Australians. The opportunity to do even better depends not only on building on these strengths, but opening up new markets.
“When we released our last report in 2016, we encouraged Australian businesses to trade with other Asian emerging or frontier markets, because they provide opportunities for growth.
“With 60% of businesses surveyed now trading in China and a rising tide of international competition, Australian exporters are worried at their ability to develop new products and services and service international markets, as well as a lack of regional connectivity.
“We can’t rely on a favourable exchange rate to lend a helping hand to Australian businesses wanting to win in the export stakes.
“To give Australians their best shot at successfully competing in international markets we must put in place policies to support Australian business to provide competitively priced goods and services.
“The report recommends that government makes it easier for Australian exporters to do business by removing red tape and unnecessary compliance costs, improving international competitiveness and providing better education, training and support services for business owners to enable them to export successfully. This last point is critical for smaller businesses, who need clear advice and support to make the most out of Australia’s trade deals.”
The Opposition spokesperson for Trade, the Honourable Jason Clare MP, will join the Australian Chamber to launch the results and discuss the findings in Sydney today.
The Australian Chamber Fourth National Trade survey was produced in partnership with the University of South Australia and is supported by the qualitative insights from over 200 Australian businesses.
The report is comparative with analysis covering the years 2013-2018.
The report can be found on the Australian Chamber website.
Related News
ACCI Director joins Deregulation Taskforce
13/09/2019
The Australian Chamber is delighted to announce Bryan Clark, Director of ACCI Trade & International Affairs, has been appointed to the Government’s Deregulation Taskforce, announced...
COAG Call to action on skills
8/08/2019
The Australian Chamber is calling on the country's political leaders to agree to reform our vital Vocation Education and Training (VET) system, to deliver the skills...
Small business deserves a fair go in Fair Dismissal Code
6/08/2019
The Australian Chamber backs the latest call for greater balance in the unfair dismissal system to better support small business owners trying to do the right...
Australian Chamber welcomes moves to cut red tape
5/08/2019
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes today’s announcement that the Productivity Commission will focus on streamlining regulation in the resources sector. "The joint announcement...
It is time we all acted on the unions’ lawlessness
30/07/2019
By James Pearson, Chief Executive Officer In August 1985 Bob Hawke proclaimed that the Australian government had had enough of “the Building Labourers Federation’s complete...
Time to ensure unions obey our laws and heed our courts
23/07/2019
The Government has called time on union officials with deep pockets, arrogant attitudes, and combative lawyers thumbing their nose at our laws, our courts and...
Maze runner: keeping Australian business competitive in the era of innovation
22/07/2019
By James Pearson It's the year 2030. China has overtaken the US as the world's largest economy. The fastest growing cities are located in...
Union claims exaggerated on union accountability laws
18/07/2019
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Australia’s employer representative to the United Nations’ International Labour Organisation (ILO), says union opposition to proposed legislation...
Further falls in VET funding reinforces urgent need to prioritise reform
18/07/2019
Today’s release of a report on Government-funded vocational training by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) showing a further decline in investment, reinforces the...
Passage of tax cuts benefits all Australians
4/07/2019
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australia’s largest and most representative business network, warmly welcomes the passage of the personal income tax package through the Senate. “The...
Australian Chamber welcomes the reintroduction of the Ensuring Integrity Bill
4/07/2019
Australia's largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the Federal Government's reintroduction of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations)...
Business calls on the Parliament to pass personal tax package in full
1/07/2019
Australia’s largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry calls on the Parliament to pass the Government’s personal income tax...
Australian Chamber-Tourism welcomes Working Holiday Maker program expansion
1/07/2019
Australian Chamber – Tourism, the peak body of Australia’s tourism organisations welcomes the expansion of the Working Holiday Maker visa program. “The Australian Chamber-Tourism has...
Business welcomes Prime Minister's emphasis on workplace relations and skills
24/06/2019
Australia’s largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, welcomes the Prime Minister’s commitment to review Australia’s Industrial Relations system...
International Visitors Survey continues to highlight positive growth story
19/06/2019
Australian Chamber – Tourism, the peak body of Australia’s tourism organisations, acknowledges the release of the International Visitors Survey today. The survey shows strong performance for...
Industrial sentiment bounces, conditions confirm a loss of momentum
18/06/2019
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Westpac Survey of Industrial Trends for the June quarter 2019 released today, shows a slowing in manufacturing business...
Opinion Editorial | It's time to repair, not replace workplace rules
11/06/2019
By James Pearson With the final seats being declared in the federal election, the government and opposition frontbench teams in place and parliament set to...
Economic growth figures underline need to support business to invest and create jobs
5/06/2019
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australia’s largest and most representative business network, today expressed disappointment at the latest National Accounts figures showing lower...
Lower interest rates to boost small business investment
4/06/2019
The Reserve Bank Board’s decision to lower the cash rate to 1.25% today has been welcomed by Australia’s largest business network, the Australian Chamber of...
Business welcomes new Federal Shadow Ministry
3/06/2019
Australia’s largest business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, congratulates the new Labor Shadow Ministry on their appointments and welcomes Federal Opposition Leader Anthony...