Export Capability of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) - a Study of North-Central Victoria

This paper explores factors in the capability of exporting firms in regional Victoria. Starting from the premise that the globalization of business will require many more Australian firms to engage with the challenges and opportunities presented by overseas markets, the author first look briefly at the reasons for the changes in the pattern of Australia's overseas trade, and some of the particular implications for regional business. The results of a broad survey of export circumstances and practice are presented in an investigation which covers reasons for exporting, organisation of export activities, level of competency, market entry strategies, skills, information gathering, government support, and location. The study finds that most regional exporters are not aware of the full range of export opportunities open to them, and for a complex set of reasons cannot fully exploit those opportunities of which they are aware.