This newsletter provides current news and events on the programs and activities the Business and Industry Development Branch of the Chief Minister’s Department delivers to the ACT business community. 

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR ACT CHIEF MINISTER’S EXPORT AWARDS

Entry to the 2009 ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards is now open to Canberra and region exporting businesses following the 2009 program launch last week.

The ACT Awards are a great way for companies to benchmark their performance and in the process gain local, national and international recognition for their achievements. Importantly, the ACT Awards also feed into the National Export Awards delivered by Austrade and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. All local category winners qualify for the national awards and the opportunity to become a National Category Winner and compete for the coveted Prime Minister's Australian Exporter of the Year.

For more information about the 2009 ACT Chief Minister's Awards and to download the application form, go to www.exportawards.gov.au/ACT or contact Cathy Atkins on 0403 488 478 or Michael Cliff on 0433 018 390.

CLEAN TECHNOLOGY ROADSHOW COMES TO CANBERRA

Business and Industry Development will partner with Austrade to deliver the ACT component of the National Clean Technology Roadshow on 29 May 2009. The roadshow aims to inform local companies within the clean technology industry about the programs and services offered by government at both the state and federal level.

With the development of clean technologies firmly in the spotlight, the roadshow promises to be a timely and relevant opportunity for local businesses to identify opportunities for government assistance and network with other clean technology companies. For further information on the Clean Technologies Roadshow please contact Martin Carr on (02) 6207 5783 or email martin.carr@act.gov.au

BUSINESS IN FOCUS MONTH (SEPTEMBER)

Business and Industry Development presented information about Business In Focus Month at the Canberra Business Council's Kindred Organisations meeting last month to encourage participation through event hosting and sponsorship. The Canberra Business Council urged the organisations present to take advantage of the extensive promotion and outreach opportunities available through formal involvement in Business In Focus Month and the branding and support that can be assessed. If you would like further information on Business In Focus Month and how your organisation can participate in this exciting new event contact:

MASTER ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAM

The ACT Government is pleased to support MawAction’s new MASTER entrepreneur mentoring program which will be held for the first time in the ACT on 26 May. The program is a unique format involving a structured interaction program between new and aspiring entrepreneurs and some of Canberra’s best known and most successful business people. The ACT Government is also supporting the MASTER entrepreneur program by providing three sponsored spots for InnovationConnect program graduates. InnovationConnect is a small grants program supporting innovation in ACT companies, delivered by the ACT Government. Details of the MASTER entrepreneur program can be downloaded from www.mawaction.com.au or by phoning Mary-Anne Waldren on (02) 6239 4281.

‘HIGH PROSPECT’ INDIAN BUYERS COMING TO THE ACT

The ACT Government and Austrade are hosting an Indian delegation of ‘high prospect buyers’ to the ACT in June 2009 (actual dates to be confirmed). This initiative is sponsored under Austrade’s TradeStart program and will involve a small group of Indian companies that can commit to at least five contractual outcomes during this ‘reverse’ trade mission. Targeted industry sectors in the ACT include ICT, education and defence exports. Further information will be provided as it becomes available, but in the meantime you can contact Merlin Kong at merlin.kong@act.gov.au to register your interest.

LIGHTHOUSE BUSINESS INNOVATION CENTRE EVENTS

The Lighthouse Innovation and Commercialisation Centre is a joint initiative of the ACT Government and Epicorp. In May, Lighthouse will host the following events:

Business ExpansionPreparing Your Business For Growth: Join a panel of business, financial and legal experts to learn how to make your business stand out to prospective investors and to explore sources of funding that will enable your business to realise the growth opportunities that the economic climate has created.

The event will be held on Tuesday 19 May 2009 from 8.30am—2pm at the Canberra Business Promotion Centre, Regatta Point For more information on attending and to register click here

Climate in a Cold Financial Crisis: Join Ian Kiernan, AO, Founder of CleanUp Australia and Dr Janette Lindesay, Associate Professor of Climatology and Deputy Director of both the ANU Climate Change Institute and the Fenner School of Environment and Society, at the Australian National University, for an informed and provocative conversation on Australia's sustainable future and both the opportunities and challenges faced by our education, science and business communities in assuring it.

The event will be held on Thursday 28 May 2009 from 4pm to 5.45pm at The Street Theatre, corner of Childers Street and University Avenue, Canberra City West.  For further information on the events above visit: http://www.lighthouseinnovation.com.au/index.php.

CANBERRA BUSINESSPOINT GALA AND AWARDS ARE OPEN

The CanberraBusinessPoint Awards — the business advisory and mentoring service funded by the ACT Government - recognise and reward the significant achievements of small businesses in the ACT and region.

The Awards are now open for application so whether you’ve just started in business or you are a serial entrepreneur, you will find an award category just right for you circumstances. If you would like assistance and guidance with your application, contact Canberra BusinessPoint (02) 6263 7200.

For further information visit the Canberra BusinessPoint website at: http://www.canberrabusinesspoint.com.au

AUSTRALIAN INFORMATION INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (AIIA) iAWARDS

Last month the Chief Minister Jon Stanhope presented the 2009 AIIA iAwards for excellence in Information and Communications Technology (ICT). The iAwards recognise innovation, creativity and excellence within the ICT industry. ACT winners will progress to represent the Territory at the national iAwards in May, where they will compete with the winners from other jurisdictions.

The 2009 iAward winners included:

  • In e-Government: The Kaz Group - for its Australian Maritime Identification System.
  • In e-Health: CSIRO ICT Centre - for its Remote Medical Consultation and Examination System (RIDES).
  • In e-Inclusion & e-Community: Admin Bandit - for its Admin Bandit Online accounting software.
  • In e-Learning: DPM Consulting - for its Capability Learning Management System.
  • In Sustainability & Green IT: Canberra Data Centres - for Canberra Data Centres.
  • Tertiary Student Project: Anshula Mathur, Phrances Xharmagne Caradang, James Thompson and Philip Haines from the University of Canberra (UC) - for the eGreen environmental impact solution.
  • In Tools & Infrastructure: Intelledox - for its Intelledox document creation and output system.

FIRST NATIONAL PLANT PHENOMICS SYMPOSIUM HELD IN CANBERRA

The CSIRO Canberra Plant Phenomics Facility hosted the inaugural International Plant Phenomics Symposium from 21 to 24 April. Around 150 Australian and international delegates participated in this groundbreaking international event. The symposium, conceived by Dr Bob Furbank, the Facility’s Senior Principal Researcher, is a result of the creation of the new High Resolution Plant Phenomics Centre in Canberra. The Centre has been created as an $18m project of the Australian Government's National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) and is supported by the CSIRO, the ANU and financially by the ACT Government. The national facility also has a significant node in South Australia supported by the South Australian Government and the University of South Australia. The opening remarks of the Symposium and welcome were given by Mr David Papps, the Chief Executive of the ACT Department of Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water.

ENTERPRISE CONNECT

Business and Industry Development participated recently in the annual conference of Enterprise Connect, the Australian Government’s new advisory services program that provides tailored support to companies. The Conference was provided with reports on the rollout of Enterprise Connect nationally, and the integration of the six specialist innovation centres(Clean Energy, Mining Technology, Defence Industries, Creative, Remote and Innovative Regions) into the national network of Centres. The ACT, through the participation of the University of Canberra in the delivery consortium for the Creative Industries Innovation Centre, will see specialist advisory services for creative companies located here shortly. For further information on Enterprise Connect contact the Hotline on 131 791.

ENTERPRISE CONNECT TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIPS

Applications are being called from firms with leading edge equipment not generally available in the market, to register as an Enterprise Connect Technology Partner. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis.

Enterprise Connect will establish a register of firms with leading edge equipment with capacity available to assist other firms. The objective is to increase the capacity utilisation of this equipment for firms owning the equipment, while providing other firms with access to equipment or technology which would otherwise not be available.

A sign on fee of up to $5,000 (excluding GST) will be paid to firms for each piece of equipment listed on the register. $3,000 is payable for in-principle agreement to make equipment available to other firms and a further $2,000 is payable towards access by the first external user/s of the equipment. It is not expected that the firm would give priority access to its equipment to other firms. However, where it has spare capacity, it is expected this will be made available. For further information contact the Enterprise Connect Hotline on 131 791.

NEW LOOK COMMONWEALTH BANK FOR DICKSON

The new look Commonwealth Bank Dickson was officially re-opened by the ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope on 7 April 2009. The Dickson Branch has been redesigned under the Bank’s new ‘Branch Experience Program’, which aims to provide customers with a completely new in-branch experience.

The Commonwealth Bank Dickson opened for business in January 1966 and has seen many changes in the Dickson shopping precinct over the past 43 years.

NEW GRANTS PROGRAM TO BOOST TOURISM QUALITY AND INNOVATION

Last month Martin Ferguson, Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism, launched Tqual Grants, announced a new $8.5 million competitive grants program to promote strategic investment in quality and innovation in the Australian tourism industry.

Tqual Grants will support initiatives that:

· develop innovative products, services or systems within the tourism industry;

· contribute directly to long-term economic development in the host region; and

· develop or support high quality visitor services and experiences.

Minister Ferguson said: "Tqual Grants will better position the Australian tourism industry in a highly competitive market – to help tourism operators and regions offer a better product and give both domestic and international travellers more reasons to choose Australia.

For further information on Tqual Grants visit www.ret.gov.au/tourism.
Applications and Customer Guides are available at www.ausindustry.gov.au/tourism

GST FOR SMALL BUSINESS

The Australian Taxation Office has released a 32-page online printable PDF guide - GST for small business - to help you understand GST obligations and taxes. Hard copy printed versions can be ordered. For further information please visit: www.ato.gov.au

CLEAN ENERGY INNOVATION CENTRE

The Australian Government's $20 million Clean Energy Innovation Centre offers a range of hands-on services to small and medium businesses in the clean energy sector. These include free business reviews and supporting grants to help boost productivity. There is also the opportunity to obtain up to $20,000 in funding to improve implement improvements.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information on any of the above news items, or to make an enquiry, please contact us by:

A full description of BID’s programs can be viewed at: www.business.act.gov.au

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