Seven West Australian agrifood businesses are set to benefit from $1.5 million in business grants as part of the Asian Market Export grant program.
Member for Moore Shane Love MLA said the program was helping to facilitate access to the growing premium export market of Asia and was part of the Department of Agriculture and Food’s $6 million Asian Market Success project, a component of the $350 million comprehensive Seizing the Opportunity Agriculture initiative made possible by Royalties for Regions.
“The grants will support projects aimed at capturing export market opportunities and attracting investment,” Mr Love said.
“V&V Walsh, Bunbury will investigate new markets for chilled WA beef and lamb in China, while Milne Agrigroup will look at pellet feed products for ruminants in the Korean, Japanese and Chinese markets.
“The successful projects were independently assessed, looking at export growth capacity and sustainability, new opportunities for Western Australian products in high-value Asian markets, and the positive impact on regional communities and the wider economy.
Mr Love said the grants will generate important long-term benefits to regional communities and the State by providing strategic support to Western Australian agribusinesses to enter or expand their presence in competitive Asian premium markets.
“The Grants for Asian Market Export have been distributed across a number of industries in the agrifood sector, including livestock, grains, seafood and horticulture, and will have potential flow-on benefits for several regions in Western Australia,” Mr Love added.
The second round of Grants for Asian Market Export will open on 24 October 2016, offering grants from $20,000 to $200,000. Applications will close on 25 November.
