BID eNewsletter Issue 21 December 2010

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. 

ACT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE QUARTERLY BUSINESS EXPECTATION SURVEY RESULTS

Local businesses continue to perform strongly, and are looking forward confidently to the busy Christmas trading weeks, the latest survey results from the ACT and Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry reveal >> More

NEW INFORMATION  TECHNOLOGY CAPABILITY REGISTER

The ACT CollabIT Committee has secured funding from the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) to develop a capability register which will benefit all of its members. >> More

ACT SCREEN INVESTMENT FUND - OPEN FOR BUSINESS

The ACT Screen Investment Fund was launched by Mary Porter MLA on 30 November. The Fund will provide co-investment with the marketplace in creative, original and marketable screen projects that will demonstrate significant economic, cultural and creative benefits to the ACT. >> More

SMALL AND MICRO BUSINESS FORUM - FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Following the second Small and Micro Business Forum (SMBF) discussions are underway to improve its effectiveness and appeal. >> More

SHANGHAI WORLD EXPO - CANBERRA ON THE WORLD STAGE

The 2010 Shanghai World Expo was the biggest in the history of world expositions with 73 million visitors and the highest participation on record. The ACT Government was involved in the expo as a Silver Sponsor of the Australian Pavilion.  >> More

EDUCATION TRADE MISSION DEBRIEF

Following the successful education themed trade mission to China in September, a debrief session including a video link up with the Austrade's offices in Beijing and Guangzhou was held.  >> More

NEW AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER LAW WILL COMMENCE ON 1 JANUARY 2010

The ACT Legislative Assembly has passed new laws in the ACT that apply the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) as a law of the Territory.

The Australian Consumer Law will replace the following ACT Laws:

  • Fair Trading (Consumer Affairs) Act 1973
  • Door-to-Door Trading Act 1991
  • Lay-by Sales Agreements Act 1963 

>> More

INDUSTRY CAPABILITY NETWORK KEY SECTOR DEVELOPMENT

Industry Capability Network (ICN) has hosted a series of Key Sector workshops around Australia over several weeks, focusing on the importance of six key industry sectors.  >> More

COMMERCIALISATION AUSTRALIA ENCOURAGING LOCAL APPLICANTS

Commercialisation Australia (CA) recently sought recommendations from Business and Industry Development (BID) for successful businesses who may be interested in pitching for CA funding support. >> More

FIRST YEAR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAM A SUCCESS

The International Student Ambassador Program (ISAP) Steering Committee, met in November to evaluate the 2010 program and plan for 2011. The annual report for the program was tabled and the feedback on the first year of the program was very positive.  >> More

AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY PARTICIPATION FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT

The Australian Government is leading a consultation process with the states and territories to review and update the Australian Industry Participation Framework. The framework directs jurisdictions in their procurements over threshold levels to maximise Australian content and indust participation. >> More

TARGETING A SKILLED WORKFORCE - SKILLED AND BUSINESS MIGRATION

The ACT Government's State Migration Plan (SMP) was released in November. The Skilled and Business Migration Unit (SBM) received its first new application within three minutes of the SMP's release >> More

MIGRATION AGENTS FORUM

The Skilled and Business Migration Unit hosted the annual Migration Agents Forum on Thursday 18 November 2010. Over 70 local and interstate agents attended the forum. >> More

EXPORTERS' NETWORK - INDONESIA

The ACT Exporters' Network held its quarterly breakfast briefing in November with a focus on Indonesian marketing opportunities. The Network received a briefing from three active exporters to this market, all of whom emphasised the significant opportunities in Indonesia and ways of doing business to achieve success. >> More

COMMERCIALISING AUSTRALIA - STRAGEGIES FOR SUCCESS WRAP UP

The Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia (KCA) Conference "Commercialise Australia - Strategies for Success", was held in Canberra from 9 - 11 November and was attended by a broad range of national and international delegates.  >> More

INNOVATIONCONNECT GRANT PROGRAM INTEREST GROWING

The InnovationConnect (ICon) grant program continues to be a drawcard inthe Canberra business community engagement with Business and Industry Development. >> More

2010 PRINT AND GRAPHIC EXCELLENCE AWARDS ANNOUNCED

Mary Porter AM MLA, recently attend the Print and Graphic Excellence Awards for 2010. The awards recognise print and graphic excellence in both traditional print and new media formats. >> More

CANBERRA PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY SIGNS MAJOR AGREEMENT WITH INDONESIAN INDUSTRY

On 23 November, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope joined with Canberra company Gamma Vaccines for the signing a Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with Indonesian Biotech Company PT Bio Farma and PT SOHO Group. >> More

PLANT PHENOMICS CENTRE OPEN DAY

On 30 November, Mary Porter AM MLA attended the first open day of the High Resolution Plant Phenomics Centre, Australia's world leading national facility apply high technology imaging, robotics and computing to plant analysis and crop breeding. >> More

OTHER ITEMS

CHRISTMAS - NEW YEAR SHUTDOWN

Business and Industry Development will be closed from the afternoon of 24 December 2010 and will re-open on 4 January 2011. We look forward to working with the business community in the New Year and wish everyone a safe and happy festive season.

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FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information on any of the above news items, please contact us by—

A full description of Business and Industry Development's programs can be viewed at www.business.act.gov.au 

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