Over the last year, US and Aussie members of our Cockatoo Network have developed a platform to link collaborative organisations and individuals around the world. It Ãs called the Sunrise Trade Network and our website is underway – www.sunrisetradenetwork.org
The problem being addressed is that companies often want to trade and interact, but the engagement systems are lacking. A simple introduction, a small sale or a contract might be all thatÃs needed, but getting to that point is difficult.
We figure that 565 councils are an untapped engagement system – because you know your companies and their capabilities.
Our aim is to connect councils across different countries, and get the respective economic development managers to help make the connections to the right companies.
Below are some possibilities.
Pork, timber and clothing – with Vietnam
A World Bank aid project in the Quang Nam province of Vietnam involved a visit to a village in the mountains west of Da Nang – an Indigenous hill tribe of some 2,000 people whose sunny disposition belied grinding poverty.
The village wants to establish a garment factory. We discussed the possibility of a local council donating ten sewing machines at a cost of $5,000.
The provincial government would organise the training, road signage would recognise the Aussie contribution, and factory sales would provide a tourism angle.
This modest start would spinoff into joint venture opportunities in other areas.
The Vietnamese love pork for its taste and protein. The idea is for Pork Australia to export 30 to 40 breeder pigs and help finance three to four trips by a technical expert. The all up cost of around $50,000 could be shared with the World Bank and AusAID.
This could lay the groundwork for a range of export and investment deals in pork, dairy, beef, poultry and so forth.
Vietnam needs to add value to its forestry resource, while protecting the natural environment.
The export of technology from nations with strong forestry credentials, such as the US, Canada, Sweden and Australia, could stimulate joint trade ventures right through the supply chain.
The shipment of a disused saw mill would be a wonderful gesture.
Creative arts – with NZ, USA, Canada, Europe, Singapore and more
We have world class creative hot spots with international collaboration at many levels, and local councils are variously involved.
Can we kick this up a notch by developing even stronger partnerships with overseas hot spots, with councils providing the umbrella?
To this end, the Sunrise Trade Network is identifying emerging ICT and film clusters.
Tulips – with Holland, NZ and more
A decade ago, flower growers in New Zealand sought to grow tulips under the Holland Tulip brand during the northern winter, saving the Dutch the cost of running greenhouses.
Australian growers are onto this, but there is still a huge upside because of our proximity to high growth Asian markets, and the substantial shipping cost and time savings for the perishable flowers.
We figure that councils working with the industry associations can provide a powerful conduit to this collaboration.
The Sunrise Trade Network is looking to apply more counter seasonal models in other areas of horticulture.
Dietary fibre and pearls – with Japan, Pacific Islands
The Okinawa – Far North Queensland sister region initiative is going great guns in generating new business opportunities for mutual benefit.
While business leads the way, Local and State Governments work with the non profits to clear red tape so initiatives can move quickly.
Two joint venture examples:
- dietary fibre from sugar waste. Pilot factories in Queensland and Okinawa have been established
- pearl farming in the Torres Strait and Pacific Islands – the Japanese partners have the ready markets.
Summary
The Sunrise Trade Network wants to know of councils interested in building public-private alliances to build international supply chains. We want to take the involvement of councils in aid projects to the next step. Please visit our website and contact us.
Sackett resignation
Professor Penny Sackett, AustraliaÃs Chief Scientist, recently resigned her post halfway through her five year appointment. The good oil is that this was due to the Gillard GovernmentÃs ìlack of Government progressî on climate change. Reportedly, Professor Sackett had never briefed by the Prime Minister, which suggests that she never found the right angle to secure such meetings.
With the benefit of hindsight, Professor Sackett might have sought to talk about ways to lift the profile of science in education, and then steer the discussion to climate change. Why? Well to find out what really motivates a politician, his/her maiden speech to parliament is a great guide.
In Julia GillardÃs case, she waxed lyrical about three things – dignity and respect in the workplace, strong communities provide the platform from which individuals can excel, and the importance of universities and education in realising peoplesà talents.
Moral of the story – if and when Julia Gillard lobs on your doorstep and youÃre looking for conversational topic, talk about your plans to make a stronger community!
Shooting yourself in the foot
Speaking about conversational topics with the Prime Minister, a mate at my local golf club pulls a bit of rank within a certain police force.
In early 2008, he was standing on the tarmac at Dili Airport with then Prime Minister Rudd.
My mate related the story: ëBrownie, there we were, and the bloody car was late. I couldnÃt think of anything to say! So I blurted out that I wasnÃt happy with him, because of the case of crownies IÃd lost to you over the Federal electionÃ.
I replied: ëI hope RuddÃs got a short memory – otherwise you just shot yourself in the footÃ.
Regional grants and carbon tax
Despite fears that the Queensland floods would reduce the size of the Regional Infrastructure Program, Simon Crean has just announced
$1.4 billion for regional development beginning in July. The Minister said that
this is not an entitlement for every area in the country – they have to bid for these funds.
He said the money is one pool of funds that will be split up among the best projects, and that the Government wants to get away from pork barrelling.
We await details, but there was to be another $600 million allocated for Regional Development Australia regional infrastructure, coming via the resources tax (subject to the successful passage of the legislation).
The bulk of the $5 billion from the resource tax will go to the Department of Infrastructure for roads, rail, aviation infrastructure and so forth.
The recently axed environment programs are no loss. We believe Gillard and Co. were glad for the excuse.
While on the subject of taxes, the brouhaha over the introduction of the carbon tax is amazing.
Abbott and HockeyÃs opposition is expected, but if Australia purports to have a significant role in international affairs, we need to be with the pack.
The OECDÃs comparative analysis of carbon taxes across the various economies shows that carbon taxes are commonplace. Minister CombetÃs measured approach is quite reassuring.
Healthy Communities Program needs KISS
I spent a good part of January assisting a council in western New South Wales to make a submission to the Healthy Communities Program, which provides $72 million for community based physical activity and healthy eating.
We hear lots of complaints about the difficulty in applying for Federal grants, and the paperwork involved.
Well, the Healthy Communities application form is a marvellous example – it has 300 to 1,000 word limits for answers to some quite mundane questions. Not a problem in itself, but because the guidelines stress the competitive nature of the program, the applicant is induced to write, write and write.
Small councils are simply not equipped to do this. If the Feds are serious about improved program delivery, they should train their program administrators in the KISS principle!
Getting organised
Councils interested in accessing funding or pushing ideas with the Feds need to get organised – brainstorming sessions, scoping projects, identifying support from State agencies and the private sector, and writing sexy submissions. And you need to be bold and persistent. Please contact us for assistance.
*Rod Brown is a Canberra-based consultant specialising in industry/regional development, investment attraction, clusters and accessing Federal grants. He also runs the Cockatoo Network. He can be contacted at apdcockatoo@iprimus.com.au or phone (02) 6231 7261.
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