Australian entrepreneurs awards for global business successes

I am pleased to announce the 77 finalists in the 55th Australian Export Awards, celebrating success in taking Australian innovation and expertise to the world.

This year's awards, co-presented by Austrade and Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, honour business endeavours across a wide spectrum and I look forward to announcing the national Australian Export Award winners at a ceremony in Canberra on December 5.

The 77 businesses have generated more than $3.9 billion in export sales in 2016-2017 and employed more than 31,000 people.

At a time when some are calling into question the benefits of international trade, it is vital that we recognise the benefits of international trade and investment for Australians.

The Turnbull Coalition Government is committed to pursuing the most ambitious trade agenda in Australia's history; creating new export opportunities for Australian businesses means more exports and jobs.

Notably, 45% of the finalists named at least one of Australia's new FTA markets - China, Japan or Korea - as a key export market.

More than a third of finalists are classified as small businesses, with 20 or fewer staff, and for 59 per cent of finalists, exports comprised more than half their revenue. Export markets for this year's finalists ranged from United States and China to less common markets like Burkina Faso, Guatemala, Yemen and Congo.

One of these winners will be named Australian Exporter of the Year and I will also announce the winner of the Investment Award.

The finalists range from a honey farm established in 1916, to cyber security experts, to a tech-based health and fitness company founded in 2014, based across the country, including Alice Springs, Geelong, Bunbury and Toowoomba.

I congratulate all finalists for making such a tangible contribution to the nation.

For more information about the Australian Export Awards, including a full list of national finalists, visit www.exportawards.gov.au.