A NEW pilot program was launched today to help Canberra companies enter and grow in the US market.

The Exporting Services to Government pilot, will give Canberra companies the knowledge and access to networks they need to get into the US Market.

The program was developed in consultation with the ACT Exporters’ Network, the NICTA e-government Cluster, the AIIA CollabIT Network, the Defence Export Unit and Austrade.

In a statement from deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr, he said:

“Canberra is a Government town, which means we have many small businesses which have unique expertise in providing cutting-edge services to government in areas such as:
• Water policy, management and technology
• Smart grid technologies
• Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
• Emergency management
• Information and cyber security
• Information management and smart records and
• Defence security and technologies

“But we need to find ways to better highlight the capabilities of Canberra companies to US government buyers – and then to bring supplier and buyer together – in the one trillion dollar market that is the US.

“The pilot I launched today is all about helping Canberra companies enter the US market and to grow in that market by playing to their strengths – developed through servicing the Australian Government.”

Expressions of interest in the pilot close on July 28 and successful applicants will be notified by August 4  2011.

The pilot will be supported with a trade mission to the US later this year.