Australia’s marine industry should continue to specialise in niche and emerging markets if it is to reap the financial rewards of exporting, the Australian Trade Commission’s (Austrade) Brisbane-based export adviser, Brendan Egan, said today.

Mr Egan, who, with Noumea-based colleague Marrianne Laurie, participated in a series of seminars last week with potential exporters, said that despite the current uncertainty in international markets there were still ample opportunities for Australian marine exporting businesses.

“Opportunities still exist for Australian boats and marine products so long as they are quality and price competitive and fulfil specific market niches. It’s all about breaking down the market and seeing where your product will fit.”

“The US in particular can be lucrative for successful exporters. It remains the largest recreational marine market in the world valued at US$30 billion last year (2002). However there are other regions, such as Asia and the South-Pacific, which provide significant potential because the markets are less established and the proximity to Australia gives us a competitive advantage,” he said.

The seminar series included visits to Perth, Sydney and Brisbane, and a tour of boat manufacturing businesses on the mid north coast of New South Wales, organised by Alan Steber of Taree-based manufacturer Stebercraft. The seminars included speakers from Austrade, industry bodies and related associations and were aimed at both preparing businesses for international markets and harnessing the support of individuals to help create an effective industry network.

“The seminars were a great opportunity to meet existing and potential exporters and for us to provide some advice on how they can make that next step, whether it be exporting for the first time or expanding into new markets. The calibre of participants was excellent, and the discussions were highly valuable for all involved,” Mr Egan said.

At the Sydney seminar Richard Chapman, Managing Director of Coursemaster Autopilots and Vice Chairman of Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX), spoke about his own experience moving into China and the potential this region had to offer. 

“The established markets such as the US and Europe are very competitive, so five years ago we decided to look at additional markets where our competitors were not based. China was one of these places. We’ve been there for four years and it’s now one of our major trading partners,” Mr Chapman said.

Marrianne Laurie, Manager of Austrade's Noumea (New Caledonia) office, represented the Pacific markets - New Caledonia as well as Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Zealand, while Brendan Egan focused on the US market. Austrade was supported by the Queensland and West Australian state Governments, Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX), the Australian Marine Industries Federation (AMIF), Australian Business Limited (ABL) and the Boating Industry of Australia (BIA).