27/12/00
Deputy Premier and Minister for Small Business Hendy Cowan today announced a range of initiatives to assist small business in drought-affected regions.
“These initiatives provide critical support to small businesses at a time when they are experiencing the flow-on of a poor season faced by primary producers in their region,” Mr Cowan said.
“The business diagnostic service is the key component of the package. Small businesses, particularly those businesses experiencing difficulty, can apply for a professional assessment of the state of their business.
“The end result of the assessment will be recommended actions for assisting the business to get back on track.”
The package, to be administered by participating Businesses Enterprise Centres (BECs), also includes the opportunity to access specialist guidance, increased business support programs and subsidised workshops in marketing.
“I also encourage small businesses to make the most of all the other services and programs offered by the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) and the BEC network, “ Mr Cowan said.
These include the opportunity to be matched with a business mentor and access to the Regional Smart Start Program, a program targeting those who wish to start a new business venture.
“The emphasis of these programs is to encourage existing small business operators to assess their current position and plan the way ahead,” Mr Cowan said.
“Based on the November 2000 Small Business Opinion Survey, small business operators have identified the level of consumer demand and competition from other businesses as two of the top three major challenges identified in the year ahead.
''Effective marketing can assist the sector tackle these challenges, particularly at a time when local droughts have resulted in a depressed local economy.”
Participating BECs include Corrigin, Esperance, Jerramungup, Narrogin and Tambellup. Alternatively, small businesses can phone 1800 093 340 for further information.
Media contacts: Tracy Taggart (SBDC) 9220-0222
Peter Jackson (Minister’s office) 9222-9595
