The Federal Government has promised to enhance the opportunities for small and medium sized enterprises to gain business from resources projects.

 

The announcement comes after the Government hosted a third Resources Sector Supplier Advisory Forum, which has authorised Melbourne Business School to develop training and education tools to help SMEs build their capabilities and access to major resource project supply chains.

 

"The Forum is part of the Government's Buy Australian at Home and Abroad initiative to maintain a strong and diverse economy, boost our manufacturing sector and share the benefits of the resources boom," Industry and Innovation Minister Greg Combet said.

 

"The Supplier Advocate will work with Government programs and agencies like Enterprise Connect, Austrade, AusIndustry, the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation and the Industry Capability Network (ICN) to share information to help SMEs secure work on major resource projects.

 

The forum comprises representatives from manufacturing, resources, mining technology and services and engineering and procurement firms, and unions, academia and industry associations. Two of the newly-appointed Resources Sector Supplier Advocates - Christian Larsen and Paul Johnson MBE - also attended the Forum.

 

Further information about the Forum, Envoy and Resources Supplier Advocates is provided atwww.innovation.gov.au/buyaustralian