Minister Barr: Achieving Canberra’s ambition through expanding business opportunities
- Written by ACT Government
Released 06/04/2017
The ACT Government will boost the economy by expanding opportunities for Canberra businesses to make the most of international trade.
Direct international flights into Singapore and New Zealand give Canberra businesses significant opportunities to grow both exporting and importing sectors. Under a new program announced as part of my annual State of the Territory address today, the ACT Government will help existing businesses and business leaders seize these opportunities through a mentoring and workshop program that will be run through the Canberra Business Chamber.
Canberra businesses have some great products and services, this program will give more of them the skills they need to take their business to the world.
This program is part of the ACT Government’s #CBR2020 vision for our city, where the bold and positive agenda that we set out, and resonated with Canberrans, will be delivering real benefits for everyone here by 2020.
From tax reform to city-shaping infrastructure, we need to keep investing to ensure we are even more productive, more creative and more efficient.
Part of this #CBR2020 vision is expanding opportunities for trade growth in areas where we are already strong. The ACT Government will work with our higher education and research institutions, and business, to expand our areas of excellence into the plant and agricultural research sector and the health and wellness services industry.
This builds on the great strides the ACT Government has made since I launched the Statement of Ambition, which sets a long-term vision for Canberra over the next 20 years. These achievements include:
- increasing the ACT’s service exports by 13.1 per cent in the past financial year;
- boosting international visitor numbers by 6.5 per cent and domestic visitor numbers by 12.8 per cent;
- restructuring our city’s finances and improving our budget bottom line;
- starting direct international flights; and
- delivering better metropolitan infrastructure through light rail, the University of Canberra Public Hospital and the creation of the new City Renewal Authority.
We are a positive, progressive city that is making things happen and I am proud more and more people are recognising what’s on offer in our city.
The ACT Government is delivering today and building for tomorrow. And, by 2020, the Canberra we love will be even better for businesses and residents.
- Statement ends -
Section: Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases
