26 October 2009

CCI invites WA business executives to attend an exclusive corporate luncheon featuring Jon Sutton, managing director of Bankwest and Western Australia's most senior banker.

Click here for individual registration.

Click here for corporate table registration.

2009 will go down in history as one of the most severe economic downturns the world has ever experienced.

However, signs are emerging that the worst may be over and the New Year will bring a return to growth and prosperity in WA.

CCI invites members to attend this exclusive corporate breakfast to gain a comprehensive insight into what's in store for the WA Economy in 2010 and beyond from CCI's Chief Economist, John Nicolaou.

Click here for further information or to register an individual attendee.

Click here for further information or to register a corporate table.

The Retail Traders' Association of WA is pleased to introduce to you the new AussieHost program.

Special Aussie Host Introductory offer.

Provide your staff with the skills and techniques that will consistently provide service excellence.

Reduced from $295 to $220 pp.  Once only introductory offer.  

Full Day training, 8.30am to 5.30pm, 4th November at 180 Hay Street, East Perth.

Limited to 2 persons per business. Numbers are limited, so register now. 

For more information and to make a booking contact RTA on (08) 9365 7695 or email rta@cciwa.com

Click here for information on AussieHost.

The Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, met last week with the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Ron Kirk, in Washington DC for annual bilateral trade and economic talks.

The talks were the first held with Ambassador Kirk and the Obama Administration. The annual talks reflect the strong trade and economic relationship between the two countries. In 2008, two-way trade in goods and services was A$55 billion and two-way investment was A$813 billion.

Minister Crean and Ambassador Kirk agreed that there was great potential to build on the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement to open up new commercial opportunities.

“With the services sector contributing more than 70 per cent of growth and 20-30 per cent of exports in our respective economies, we are working with the United States on continuing to expand access for the high quality professional service providers Australia has to offer the US market,” Mr Crean said.

“During the talks I raised Australia’s on-going concerns about the 2008 US Farm Bill, emphasising Australia’s continuing interest in gaining better market access for agricultural exports including dairy, horticulture products and sugar. I also pressed the US on Australia’s concerns about mandatory country-of-origin labelling for beef, the US Dairy Import Assessment and Dairy Export Subsidies program.”

Minister Crean and Ambassador Kirk discussed the continuing close working relationship between Australia and the US on regional economic and trade developments. This included the conclusion of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement and the opportunities this FTA would provide to Australian companies and US businesses based in Australia to engage with a region that is home to 600 million people and has an annual GDP of A$3.2 trillion.

Minister Crean and Ambassador Kirk also discussed developments in the East Asia Summit process, which is strengthening regional economic cooperation and enhancing trade and economic opportunities.

Also discussed was continuing progress on the Doha Round trade negotiations and how Australia and the US can work with the broader WTO membership to conclude the Round. A recent report from a US – based think tank – the Peterson Institute for International Economics – suggests the potential gains from concluding the Doha Round could be as high as US$700 billion, depending on the level of ambition.

Construction is the second largest economic activity after agriculture in India. The building and construction sector is responsible for the development of over 250 ancillary industries such as cement, steel, paints, interior design etc. It is estimated this will result in cumulative spending on construction in the region of US$500 billion up to 2015.

The Department of State Development with the support of the Australian Institute of Architects, Master Builders Association WA and the Australian Association of Planning Consultants has been investigating the export opportunities into India for design, construction services, urban planning and specialized products and materials.

You are invited to participate in an expo in Bangalore called The Economic Times Acetech 2009 www.etacetech.com either by having a personal presence at the Western Australian booth or by catalogue display at the booth. Participation will provide an opportunity to reach Indian property developers and architects.

The proposed mission is for three days from 27 to 29 November 2009 in Bangalore.

Cost: Participation in the expo will carry no costs. The Western Australian Trade Office, Mumbai will cover venue costs and manage the booth.

For more information about the mission and to register your interest, please contact John Shute, Department of State Development, Tel: (08) 9222 0495, john.shute@dsd.wa.gov.au.

Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC), Australia’s export credit agency, has helped WA-based Austal Ships to win an A$74.7 million contract to provide four high-speed passenger catamaran ferries to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

The buyer of the ferries in the Caribbean is Trinidad and Tobago’s National Infrastructure Development Company Limited (NIDCO), a government entity. ANZ, Austal’s bank, provided a loan facility to NIDCO to fund the purchase of the ferries. EFIC provided ANZ with an export finance guarantee (EFG) for A$61.3 million to guarantee repayment of the loan.

The EFG facility is a form of buyer finance. It is a guarantee to a bank to encourage the bank to lend to overseas buyers of Australian exports. An Australian exporter’s ability to enhance a contract bid with buyer finance from EFIC can make them more competitive in global markets.

Austal won the contract in an international tender and EFIC’s ability to work with the company and ANZ to structure a buyer finance package was key to Austal’s success.

‘Given the size of the order, being able to offer NIDCO a finance package which included EFIC’s guarantee was a crucial part of our bid,’ Austal’s Managing Director, Bob Browning, said.

The high-speed ferries will be used to establish a water taxi service between San Fernando, in south-western Trinidad, and the capital, Port of Spain, and are intended to reduce travel time between north and south Trinidad by almost two-thirds. Each 41 metre aluminium vessel is designed to carry 405 passengers.

EFIC has supported several other Austal contracts and most recently provided an EFG in relation to an A$74 million contract for the design and construction of six fast patrol boats for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, a transaction in which it also worked with ANZ.

Angus Armour, EFIC’s Managing Director and CEO, said “We are delighted to continue our association with Austal and to contribute to the international expansion of this successful Australian company.’

Paul Richards, ANZ’s Global Head of Structured Export Finance, said “Austal is a highly valued customer of ANZ. We are pleased to support Austal’s export business and to work with EFIC again.”

The four vessels will be constructed at Austal’s Tasmanian and Western Australian shipyards, with delivery scheduled for late 2010.

Australia is adjusting its imported food policy settings regarding bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) for beef and beef products. The changes follow a review of current settings and will come into effect from 1 March, 2010.

An update of the science of BSE and consideration of the risks associated with importing the beef and beef products was undertaken by Professor John Mathews. Professor Mathews’ report concludes that the risk to human health from imported beef remains extremely low, provided the appropriate risk mitigation strategies are put in place.

The new arrangements will not affect the Australian food standard which requires that beef and beef products be derived from animals free of BSE. This standard will not change and current enforcement measures will continue to apply.

When BSE was reported in a number of European countries in 2001, Australia implemented blanket measures to protect the public. At that time, Australia amended its policy to prohibit imports of beef products immediately from any country that had reported any case of BSE.

Since then, there have been significant advances in knowledge and changes in practice in managing beef herds and food production. This has allowed countries to trade beef and beef products safely.

The independent review of the scientific evidence, mentioned above, indicates that it is possible to import beef from countries that have reported cases of BSE and maintain a high level of protection for the Australian public, provided the appropriate risk management mechanisms are put in place.

Until now, under our World Trade Organization obligations, if there were a case of BSE in any part of Australia the current policy would require all Australian beef to be removed from the shelves. The new policy provides a better outcome for both our domestic and export industry allowing a more sensible risk-based regional response to be made.

The change will not affect Australia’s animal health status which is recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health as being in the most favourable category of “negligible risk”. It will not diminish our ability to export beef to the world.

The decision reinforces Australia’s strong science-based risk-management approach to human, animal and plant health policy, and supports our position in international standard setting organisations. Such an approach is supported by Australia’s peak national beef organisations including the Red Meat Advisory Council, which includes the Australian Meat Industry Council, Cattle Council of Australia and the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association, who have also indicated their support for updating the BSE policy.

A number of countries have requested access to Australia’s beef market. These countries will be required to undergo a rigorous risk assessment led by Food Standards Australia New Zealand to ensure they have robust systems in place to prevent the BSE agent from entering the human food chain. Countries looking to export their beef to Australia must meet rigorous requirements to ensure that beef products entering Australia are BSE free and we will not compromise on this.

The new import conditions will require exporting countries to prove they have acceptable controls in place, even if a particular country has not reported BSE, and demonstrate that those controls are implemented and monitored. These requirements relate to a wide range of factors, such as food safety, animal health, surveillance, feeding and slaughter practices.

Countries permitted to export beef products to Australia under the previous policy will be allowed to continue to do so, but will also be subject to a risk assessment of their systems and have until 30 June 2011 to request such an assessment.

A copy of the independent review can be downloaded at www.health.gov.au

The International Trade Centre at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia receives buy/sell offers and trade enquiries daily from overseas.

Click here to view the latest trade opportunities.

Josiah’s Bicycle Engineering Challenge began as a result of 9-year-old Perth boy, Josiah, who was born with no arms and his dream to be able to ride a bicycle with his mates. Josiah’s mother contacted Dreamfit Founder and CEO, Darren Lomman, to find out if Dreamfit could help Josiah fulfil his dream.

Dreamfit Foundation responded by creating an engineering challenge for UWA engineering students to design a bicycle that would enable Josiah to go riding with his friends.  Six teams of finalists are now converting their designs into real-life bicycles with the support of industry sponsors and mentors.

These six innovative bicycles will be officially unveiled at the Westcare 2009 International Day of People with a Disability (IDPWD) Breakfast. During the event, Josiah will choose his favourite bicycle to take home just in time for Christmas. 

At the breakfast, the remaining five bicycles will be presented to Frank Surgener, President of Ride Aid Cambodia. Ride Aid Cambodia will distribute the bicycles to Cambodian children who have lost limbs through land-mines or were born with birth defects.

Sponsor a table and show your corporate support for $1,200, Buy a table for $720, or individual tickets for $77.

How to Book:
Online: www.redhorizonevents.com.au, Email: events@redhorizonevents.com.au,  
Phone: (08) 9245 6575 or Fax: (08) 6267 8099.

The Retail Traders' Association of Western Australia is pleased to present an exciting package of practical and inexpensive seminars that will bring you the frontline knowledge and know-how that is often lacking in business.  

Click here for further information or to register.

The Deputy Prime Minister has introduced the Apprentice Kickstart Bonus, a new incentive payable to employers of Australian Apprentices. The incentive is comprised of two payments; one $850 payment at the three month point and the second payment of $2,500 at the nine month point.

The Apprentice Kickstart incentive is available to employers who take on an apprentice aged 19 and under who are undertaking a skills shortage trade with a commencement date between 1 December 2009 and 28 February 2010.

What is the Apprentice Kickstart Bonus?

The Apprentice Kickstart Bonus is an employer incentive designed to counteract the impact of the global recession on commencements and retention of young people in traditional trade Australian Apprenticeships.

Who is eligible for the Apprentice Kickstart Bonus?

Employers who employ an Australian Apprentice in a traditional trade who is aged 19 years and under.

The Apprentice Kickstart Bonus is payable in respect to commencements between 1 December 2009 and 28 February 2010 in a qualification leading to a traditional trade occupation.

The employer must also meet eligibility requirements under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program.

What is a traditional trade?

A traditional trade is a trade listed on the National Skills Needs List. The National Skills Needs List is available at www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au 

What financial support is available to employers?

The Apprentice Kickstart Bonus is a total of $3,350 paid in instalments of:

• $850 paid at the three month point of the Australian Apprenticeship; and
• $2,500 paid at the nine month point of the Australian Apprenticeship.

Are the new payments in addition to existing support for employers of Australian Apprentices?

Yes. The new payment is in addition to the suite of employer incentives already available under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program.

Employers of Australian Apprentices at the Certificate III level and above may already be eligible to receive $4,000 in incentives comprising a $1,500 commencement incentive and a $2,500 completion incentive.

How long is the Apprentice Kickstart Bonus available for?

The Apprentice Kickstart Bonus is available for commencements between 1 December 2009 and 28 February 2010.

How are the Apprentice Kickstart Bonus payments made?

Payments are made directly to the employer’s nominated bank account.

How do I apply?

Your Australian Apprenticeships Centre will advise you of your eligibility for the Apprentice Kickstart Bonus at sign up. For more information contact your CCI Apprenticeship Solutions Account Manager on 1800 224 224.

This interactive two-day workshop presented by CCI's workers' compensation advisers will provide you with the necessary skills and tools to effectively manage your workers' compensation claims to maximise control and minimise costs.

Click here for further information or to register.

This course is about getting to the bottom of what you are trying to achieve. What is your objective? What do you want the audience to do once they have seen your presentation? These are all very basic questions, which are rarely addressed by presenters.

Click here for further information or to register.

This program provides an excellent overview and introduction to the basic management skills required of new managers and supervisors. You will also develop a practical action plan to suit your individual and organisational needs.

Click here for further information or to register.

This program will improve your knowledge and understanding of recommended methods for recruitment and selection which, if applied correctly, will help you avoid distressing and costly mistakes.

Click here for further information or to register.

This course will assist you to develop the skills required to motivate your diverse workforce to become high performers who achieve goals and standards. Improve your performance management skills and watch the results in your workplace.

Click here for further information or to register.