I always appreciate and enjoy the opportunity to review the entries that are submitted each year for the Governor of Victoria Export Awards.
This year represents the 30th consecutive annual presentation of the awards and, the fact that they remain so well supported by Victoria’s exporting businesses, confirms that they provide an important opportunity for recognition of our export industries and businesses.
The awards also ensure that our best Victorian export achievers can be prepared to compete in the Austrade-sponsored Australian Export Awards and thus ensure that their success is recognised nationally.
The past 12 months created numerous challenges for our exporters.
First, we have experienced ‘the global financial crisis’ resulting in significant downturns in the domestic economies of many of our traditional export destinations, especially North America and Europe.
Second, large and frequent fluctuations in the exchange rate of the Australian dollar also created immense challenges in pricing export commodities, creating the need for businesses to manage their foreign exchange exposure effectively.
These challenges have been met in the face of a slowing domestic economy, and the fact that our Victorian businesses have continued to expand their export initiatives is a significant achievement.
It is pleasing to note the rising importance of Victoria’s service sector. Our educational and tertiary institutions in particular, have significantly increased their international student numbers and they continue to innovate in their service delivery and export marketing.
I am also delighted to see the rise of our research and development - related enterprises and the success of a vibrant and diverse sector in the creation and design of computer games. The latter demonstrates the skills of our local entrepreneurs, who can clearly compete with the best that the rest of the world can offer.
I think we all recognise that a robust export economy is vital to our state. New employment opportunities, acquisition of new skills and the attraction of investment capital provide the basis for our future growth and development,
I warmly congratulate this year’s achievers in the Governor of Victoria Export Awards.
Professor David de Kretser, AC
Governor of Victoria