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Voucher boost to businesses

Headshot of Nicolette Barbas
Nicolette BarbasSouth Western Times
Dale Miles and Jon Berry.
Camera IconDale Miles and Jon Berry. Credit: Nicolette Barbas

Agrifood and beverage businesses are being encouraged to apply for the second round of Agrifood and Beverage vouchers program, with up to $700,000 being made available.

The State Government program supports small to medium enterprises to engage a professional consultant or technical expert to support their business across a range of categories.

Dale Miles from Dorper Lamb was one of the successful applicants who received a voucher earlier this year.

“We received two voucher grants of $10,000 each in March which was at the heart of COVID and lockdown,” Mr Miles said.

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“Initially, we intended to use those vouchers for development and brand promotion to grow the export side of our business.

“About 70 per cent of our business is export-related and that clearly took a significant downturn in the past six to eight months.

“The voucher program allowed us to diversify our product range and continue marketing and promoting our brand in export markets even during a situation of restricted travel.”

The program provided 73 vouchers to food and beverage businesses across the State and Food Industry Development project manager Jon Berry said about 28 businesses from the South West region had already applied for the next round.

The department has also released the WA Food and Beverage Professional Service Provider Directory, to help connect WA food and beverage product manufacturers with service providers experienced in working with the food and beverage manufacturing industry.

“This directory is designed to maximise the benefits to WA by ensuring food businesses are aware of State-based consultants and technical experts with experience working in the food and beverage sector,” Mr Berry said.

“A broad range of service providers are listed, including export consultancy services, logistics, retail marketing, branding and graphic design, ingredients supply, e-commerce systems, research and development, and sales and distribution service providers.

“Service providers with experience working with food and beverage manufacturers are encouraged to register with the department for establishment of a profile in the directory.”

Vouchers are available for eligible agrifood and beverage businesses across regional areas on a dollar for dollar co-contribution basis.

Online applications for vouchers close on December 11.

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