TASMANIA has released a plan to boost trade with the mainland and abroad.

The Tasmanian Trade Strategy Annual Action Plan 2021 aims to expand opportunities in existing markets and broaden awareness of Tasmania’s unique quality in local and international markets, according to a statement from state trade minister Jeremy Rockliff.

“It sets out 53 clear actions to build trade in key sectors, showcase Tasmanian goods and services in priority markets, support market access and logistics and build the export capacity of Tasmanian businesses,” Mr Rockliff said.

“Counties targeted for expansion or new market entries include Japan, Singapore and Malaysia, the US, Indonesia and South Korea, as well as [countries in] the Middle East.”

Mr Rockliff said the plan would foster market expansion and diversification and help Tasmania’s exporting businesses better manage their export risks.

“Even with the pandemic affecting bottom lines across the last quarter of 2019-20, our exports continue to climb, reaching more than $5 billion in the last financial year, an increase of $207 million or 4.3% on the previous year.”

As part of the plan, Tasmania has opened tenders as part of a competitive process to appoint a trade advocate for the state in Singapore and Japan.

The successful trade advocates will play a pivotal role in supporting Tasmanian business and industry to capture opportunities in an increasingly complex global trading environment.

“Japan is one of our oldest key trading partners and Tasmania’s second largest single export market worth more than $240 million, and through this new Trade Advocate, this relationship will only be strengthened,” Mr Rockliff said.

“Singapore is a critical regional trading hub and a key market for Tasmania’s premium food and beverages. It is also a window onto the ASEAN, which accounts for over $800 million, or 21%, of Tasmania’s total goods exports.”

The Tasmanian government is also in the final stages of appointing a trade advocate to the US, with the tender process now concluded and the successful candidate to be announced shortly. “The US is one of Tasmania’s oldest and most valued international partners and as our third largest export market is worth over $235 million,” Mr Rockliff said.