Hendy Cowan

Hendy Cowan

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    WA scoops major export awards

    12/12/2000 8:12 PM
     
    12/12/00

    Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan says Western Australia’s reputation as the nation’s leading export State has been confirmed by the Australian National Export Awards.

    Three West Australian companies took out national awards, presented by Austrade and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in Sydney this evening.

    Austal Ships of Henderson took out the top honour when it was named DHL Australian Exporter of the Year.

    Austal also won the award in the category Australian Made Large Advanced Manufacturer. The company designs and manufactures high performance aluminium vessels, including high-speed passenger and vehicle ferries.

    Computer company Lasata of West Perth, which develops financial management reporting systems, won the Hewlett Packard Award for Information Industries.

    Woodside Energy, which operates Australia’s biggest resource project, the North-West Shelf Venture, took out the Melbourne Port Corporation Minerals Award.

    All three companies had previously won their respective categories in the 2000 Western Australian Industry and Export Awards.

    Mr Cowan said the awards proved that the so-called tyranny of distance was no longer a barrier to successful exporting.

    He said our exporters had seized the initiative to develop opportunities in new markets.

    “In today’s export-oriented marketplace, you don’t have to be located in one of the ‘traditional’ commercial capitals to succeed on the world scene,” he said.

    “The winners - and all the WA finalists - have helped to enhance our reputation for innovation, imagination and international competitiveness. This has been recognised at a national level.”

    Mr Cowan praised the role of the Department of Commerce and Trade, saying the agency had been very effective in assisting and encouraging WA businesses since it was created in 1993.

    "For a relatively new department, Commerce and Trade has developed a clear focus and strong framework of support for WA industry, particularly in terms of encouraging our companies to tackle overseas markets,” he said

    The Department is a major sponsor of the State awards, along with Austrade, BankWest, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Hamersley Iron, KPMG, Telstra and The West Australian.

    The other WA companies who were finalists in the national awards were:
    • Q-Mac Electronics, Osborne Park (Small to Medium Manufacturers Export Award)
    • Hotbods Creatures, Belmont (Emerging Exporter Award)
    • Manjimup Coolstores Syndicate, Manjimup (Agribusiness Export Award)
    • CVA Film and Television, West Perth (Arts and Entertainment Export Award)
    • Curtin University of Technology, Bentley (Education Export Award)
    • Marine and Offshore Group (Services Export Award)

    Media Contact: Peter Jackson (Minister’s office) 9222 8788