Ken Matthews, CEO of Matthews Steer Chartered Accountants, spoke to the gathering outlining the importance of the network to both his business and to the broader business community of Melbourne’s West.
Government support is a fantastic stimulator of export and most appreciated,” Mr Matthews said. “When it comes down to it though, only a vibrant and intelligent network supporting our many small and medium sized businesses is going to see the export potential of the region achieved.”
Brian Benson, Global Manager Agriculture Products at Nufarm Australia was the keynote speaker. Nufarm are one of the largest manufacturers of crop protection products in Australia, distributing to over 100 countries. They have offices at various locations including Paris and New York but they choose to have their international headquarters located in Melbourne’s West at Laverton North.
The West of Melbourne has been Nufarm’s launching pad as we have grown from $17 million company to $2.1 billion global enterprise”, Mr Benson said.
“Exporters have an extraordinary opportunity to develop world markets. Australians are liked, respected and welcomed into every market that they enter”.
In officially declaring Melbourne's West Export Network open for business, Ms Pat Evans, Executive Director, Exporter Services Austrade, praised both the Government and private sector for working together to establish a network aimed at assisting Melbourne’s Western Region businesses to establish and grow overseas markets.
“The fastest growing area of Melbourne is the West. With superb infrastructure, business facilities and a vibrant community of business leaders participating in this fantastic initiative the future of export in the West is assured,” Ms Evans said.
To all those who attended, please do spread the word on the MWEN and refer businesses in the West to the website (www.exportnetwork.com.au) to register to the network!
