Note, as announced by the Government in the Budget on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 a streamlined Global Opportunities program will be transferred to Austrade. Content on this site relating to Global Opportunities is currently being reviewed.
Global Opportunities Program
1. What is the aim of the Global Opportunities Program?
The Australian Government is providing $254.1 million over ten years from 2007–08 for the Global Opportunities (GO) Program.
The GO Program is part of the Australian Government’s Industry Statement and has been designed to assist Australian industry, particularly small and medium sized enterprises in the manufacturing and services sectors, to link into global supply chains and bid for work on major international projects with commercial value in excess of A$500 million.
2. How will the GO Program support Australian industry in pursuing Global Opportunities?
The GO Program will be delivered through the formation of Industry Capability Teams (ICTs) comprising groups of Australian firms, including small and medium enterprises, which will work together and with Government to develop long term strategies for increasing their participation in global supply chains and major international projects. Assistance will be provided to enable teams to pursue these strategies.
The following non-exhaustive menu of activities is illustrative of the facilitation services that may be provided under the GO Program:
- collecting, analysing and disseminating market intelligence on global opportunities;
- Australian capability assessment and matching, including via e-business systems;
- promoting Australian industry capabilities, including developing capability directories;
- fostering networking and business relationship building between Australian and international industry, and governments;
- contracting or placing marketing agents/representatives in foreign countries;
- placing industry experts in international procurement offices;
- facilitating inwards and outwards missions and events (e.g. making introductions, arranging meetings, costs associated with exhibition or trade show stand construction, meeting rooms, and promotional activities);
- identifying and mitigating impediments to Australian industry competing effectively, including engaging specialist expertise, developing regulation roadmaps and information on global supply chain insurance, finance and intellectual property protection;
- training for Industry Capability Teams; and
- Industry Capability Team management, including planning, coordination, monitoring and reporting.
3. What is a Global Opportunity?
A Global Opportunity refers to either a Global Supply Chain or Major International Projects with a total commercial value exceeding A$500 million.
4. What is a Global Supply Chain?
A Global Supply Chain refers to any international procurement network which sources inputs (either goods or services) for the purpose of producing other inputs or final goods or services.
5. What is a Major International Project?
A Major International Project refers to any large-scale, site-specific, project. Similar projects may be grouped to achieve the A$500 million threshold.
6. What is an Industry Capability Team (ICT)?
An Industry Capability Team is a group of Australian firms that are prepared to act in collaboration with each other and in partnership with the Australian Government in pursuit of a Global Opportunity.
7. What is the anticipated size for an ICT?
It is envisaged that ICTs will be between 20 and 30 firms depending on the Global Opportunity being pursued. However, no absolute threshold has been set.
8. How will industry and government work together in practice?
Industry and Government will work together to identify and pursue global opportunities for Australian firms. Government, through the GO Program, will assist by facilitating the formation of Industry Capability Teams and by providing funding or services to help ICTs to develop and implement business plans for the opportunities.
Funding Arrangements may be made with government agencies, firms and industry associations to deliver elements of the GO Program. Grants (through a grants application process), procurement and inter-agency arrangements may be used.
9. Which opportunities will be targeted?
Global Opportunities need to be substantial, representing total commercial value in excess of A$500 million over a foreseeable period, and may include specific:
- Major International Projects; or
- Global Supply Chains.
10. How will Global Opportunities and industry capabilities be identified?
One means of identifying potential target opportunities will be through nomination by Australian industry.
Other means will also be used to identify target opportunities. These will include information supplied to the GO Program by Australia's overseas trade and diplomatic missions, commercial providers of market intelligence, and information obtained from the Department's own activities.
11. How is this program different from Austrade's activities?
Austrade is working closely with the GO Program on a number of specific global opportunity initiatives and support activities. Austrade can help you understand overseas markets, foreign regulations and business practices.
Austrade provides a range of services, including:
- assistance with identifying international partners,
- providing tailored industry intelligence,
- support with visiting potential buyers, and
- other on-ground support in export markets.
You can obtain further information from the Austrade website www.austrade.gov.au or you can speak with an Austrade export adviser on 13 28 78.
12. Who is responsible for delivery of the GO Program?
The GO Program is administered by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.
Further information is available from:
Web: http://www.innovation.gov.au/go
Email: go@innovation.gov.au
Mail: Head of Division
Global Opportunities
Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
GPO Box 9839
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Telephone: +61 2 6213 6711
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