Australia’s exporters are more optimistic about the year ahead than they were six months ago. That’s one of the key findings of Efic’s latest Exporter Sentiment Index – a survey of more than 1,200 SME exporters. Nearly half (46%), believe the economy will be better in the next 12 months than it was in the […]
Australia’s continued economic relationship with China is showing little sign of slowing down[1], with the country – our biggest trading partner – investing in Australia at a level not seen since before the global financial crisis. There are, undoubtedly, valuable export opportunities for Australia’s small business sector not only in China but also in the […]
In recent times, Australian businesses with global ties have experienced a prolonged period of uncertainty, riding out everything from Trump’s unpredictable administration to Theresa May’s shock call for a snap election. The French election for presidency is no exception, with Marine Le Pen now through to the second round of voting. The far-right candidate is […]
Australian SMEs and start-ups are increasingly taking advantage of the changing global economy and importing goods that may not be available locally or can be produced at a cheaper price overseas. While importing can be an excellent way to grow your business and keep production costs to a minimum, it is important for SMEs to […]
Australian businesses are set to experience an increase in insolvencies this year as a result of another difficult economic year, according to the recently-published Atradius Economic Outlook. The likely 2% increase in insolvencies puts Australia in step with the UK and Canada. The improving trend in the business environment across Australia and other advanced economies is […]
With all of the talk about Asia and the hysteria around Donald Trump‘s presidency, it is easy to forget that the United States is still the largest economy in the world with GDP of over US$18 trillion and by far the largest consumer market with retail sales of over US$5 trillion. While its size means the […]
Within 48hrs of his inauguration, the 45th President of the United States introduced a swath of Executive Orders that look set to rip up the old rule book and with it, the legacy of the Obama administration. This includes taking steps to dismantle the Affordable Care Act and the reversal of plans to reduce mortgage […]
As the mining boom continues to lose pace, Australia’s trade and investment profile is changing. While the growth of our commodities sector may have diminished, other sectors are performing well as demand for Australian products and services overseas is strong and, in many sectors, growing. Against this background, there are a number of opportunities for […]
Access to finance continues to challenge the growth of Australia’s internationally-active businesses according a new survey commissioned by the Export Council of Australia and supported by Efic, the Australian Government’s export finance agency. The new Australian International Business Survey (AIBS) 2015 is one of the largest and most in-depth surveys of Australian exporters involving over […]
While Australian SME exporters continue to win contracts against global competitors, many find it difficult to access the finance they need to secure these opportunities.
