Log on to Australian opportunities

In Australia, NZTE has a tool designed to do just that: ProjectLink. From fabricating an ice-cream filling machine in Victoria to $4m worth of prawn fishing boat refits in Western Australia, ProjectLink has proved an important resource for New Zealand manufacturers looking to maximise opportunities in Australia.

But before we look at ProjectLink, we have to ask “why Australia?” With a population five times that of New Zealand, a booming resource sector underpinning an economy performing better than most, and a world-best free trade agreement in CER, the question really is “why not?” 

But a word of caution – we’re not the only ones to see the third-best rugby nation in the world performing well economically, and it’s likely that competition will only increase. 

While we have the advantage of geography, language and legal systems, New Zealand companies still need to be smart operators across the Tasman.

For all except the largest companies, having and maintaining a presence across this vast continent and being able to effectively and accurately identify and validate the myriad opportunities in this market right on our doorstep is not a cost-effective option.

So how does ProjectLink fit in to the mix?  ProjectLink is an online subscription service that identifies and qualifies public and private projects in the engineering, marine and building and construction industries in Australia – and having proved its worth by securing over quarter of a billion dollars in business for New Zealand since its inception, ProjectLink should be a key tool for Kiwi manufacturing businesses looking to enter and grow in the Australian market.

ProjectLink provides New Zealand companies with networks and linkages that would otherwise be difficult, costly and time-consuming to develop and manage – and, even though we’re close neighbours, in-market networks in Australia are critical. 

By pre-qualifying opportunities, your in-market time is able to be much more effectively used talking to key influencers and decision-makers which could lead to that next contract.

A great example of the power of ProjectLink is Hamilton-based NDA Engineering.  NDA Engineering is a world class fabricator of high precision stainless steel vessels and vats and Australia is a key market – accounting for 23% of revenue in 2010/11. The business has been a long-term subscriber to the ProjectLink service.