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Access Asia grants to support local SMEs and boost WA economy

  • Up to $500,000 in grants available for local small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and business associations
  • Grants support economic growth in key Asian markets and State’s priority industry sectors
  • First three rounds saw the McGowan Government award 52 grants worth $755,000 to help local businesses create jobs by diversifying trade with Asia 
  • Western Australian small and medium-size business enterprises (SMEs) and business associations looking to enter key Asian markets are encouraged to apply for the latest round of the Access Asia Business Grants program.

    In this round of the program, 20 grants worth up to $25,000 are available which supports WA businesses and organisations to grow trade with key Asian markets.

    The new round focuses on helping businesses build and maintain competitiveness in Asian markets to contribute to the WA economy.

    Businesses must be working in one of the priority sectors identified in Diversify WA – the McGowan Government’s economic development framework.

    Priority sectors include energy, tourism, events and creative industries, international education, defence industries, mining and mining equipment, technology and services, space industries, health and medical life sciences, and primary industries.

    Grants are also open to industry associations and Asian business councils to support their business efforts in Asia, particularly in key markets such as China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and South Korea.

    The program is a key component of the WA Government’s Asian Engagement Strategy 2019-2030: Our future with Asia, which was launched in August 2019 to support Asia-focused WA organisations to diversify the economy and help create jobs.

    Expressions of interest for the new round of Access Asia Business Grants open on February 17 and close on March 4.

    As stated by State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister Roger Cook:

    “Western Australian businesses have a long and strong history of diversifying their products into Asian markets.

    “We want to see more local businesses export internationally and the Access Asia grants aim to support SMEs to build opportunities in rapidly growing Asian markets.

    “I encourage local SMEs with projects aimed at increasing their international customer base to consider applying for a grant.”

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