New E-Commerce Grant to Drive Growth of Queensland Export Businesses

Are you a Queensland based business with an e-commerce website selling to international markets?

To assist Queensland export businesses in operating online more effectively, Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries have opened a new grants program which can offer up to $10,000 to Queensland exporters.

The program is an initiative within the Queensland Economic Recovery Strategy which ultimately aims to ‘unite and recover for Queensland Jobs with a focus on reinvigorating trade relationships post COVID-19’.

Aims and Areas of Focus:
The three specific aims of the E-commerce grant program include:

1. Building the presence of Queensland exporters on an e-commerce platform in an international market.
2. Assisting Queensland exporters to engage with international markets and use e-commerce platforms to activate their market re-entry strategies following the challenges of exporting during COVID-19.
3. Enable Queensland exporters to become more competitive on e-commerce platforms.

The grant is designed for small to medium enterprises, particularly businesses within the food and agribusiness industry. Though, the program also extends to other Queensland exporters from a wider range of industry sectors.

In the first round, the program will target specific international markets which include China, Europe, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Latin America, Middle East, New Zealand, North America, Singapore, Taiwan and United Kingdom.

Funding:
Payment will be split into two instalments: 70% following a signed agreement and a project plan and 30% upon successful completion of the program.

These funds are designed to cover project costs relating to enhancing the presence of your business in an e-commerce, overseas market, rather than challenges associated with the ordinary, everyday operations of your business.

Funding can be used to cover costs including online content development, developing localized materials, localized advertising, specialized ICT to support e-commerce activities and costs associated with setting up a distribution channel for e-commerce sales to the market.

Eligibility:
Applications for this grants program opened on 22 March 2021 and close 1pm 23 April 2021.
To be eligible for this grant you must:

• Have a valid ABN and be registered for GST
• Be based in Queensland, that is, your ABN must identify your place of business as Queensland
• Be a company incorporated in Australia or be an incorporated trustee applying on behalf of a trust
• Have no more than 200 full time employees
• Not be a subsidiary of a group of companies that has 200 or more full time employees
• Be an existing exporter with a trading history of more than 1 year
• Not use Commonwealth, State, Territory or local government grants for this project
• Produce and export Queensland products

Your application will be considered on three criteria:

1. Business capability (20% weighting). This will involve assessing if your business has relevant management experience and an effective business model to be successful on the e-commerce platform.
2. Proposed project (60% weighting). This will involve examining if your business has a detailed proposed project underpinned by research, realistic budgets and attainable goals.
3. Impact (20% weighting). This will involve examining whether the grants program will significantly enhance the success of the business and support the business to be more competitive.

If you think you are eligible, please apply directly at the TIQ website:
E-commerce Grant Program – TIQ

Date Published: 26 March 2021