Features & Services

International Division

Master Builders International Division provides a suite of international programs and services which are tailored especially for the building and construction industry.

International Division is sponsored by the Australian Made, Australian Grown Campaign - The Mark of Australian Industry.

The green and gold kangaroo trade mark of the Australian Made, Australian Grown Campaign is truly Australian and is universally recognised and trusted by Australian consumers. It is used on products sold by Australian exporters in more than 30 countries.

Master Builders Australia and the Australian Made, Australian Grown Campaign join forces to promote Australian products here and overseas, and to showcase the capability of the Australian construction sector.

You can be confident that when products carry the Australian Made trade mark, they really are made in Australia. 9 out of 10 Australians recognise the trade mark and what’s more it provides:

• effective product differentiation
• a strong Australian identity in export markets
• clear differentiation from imported products
• third party certification and authentication

For further information about the Australian Made, Australian Grown Campaign visit their website at www.australianmade.com.au or freecall 1800 350 520.

Announcing a Strategic Alliance between the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC) and Master Builders International Division

EFIC is Australia’s export credit agency who provides specialised finance and insurance services and advice.   They have teamed up with the International Division who will promote EFIC’s products and services to Australia’s building and construction sector. 

EFIC are specialists in finding ways around the financial barriers Australian exporters and overseas investors may be experiencing in financing their export plans.

Benchmark your business with the 2010 EFIC Global Readiness index How has the global financial crisis changed the trends and outlook for exporting and investing offshore over the last 12 months? How ready are Australian businesses for the opportunities and challenges of today’s ever-changing international marketplace? In other words, what is their current state of ‘global readiness’?

Now in its third year, this unique Australian study will provide Australian business with a comprehensive picture of the opportunities and challenges on the path to participating in today’s global supply chains. It will also compare results with those from the 2009 survey and is expected to show some interesting insights as a result of the global economic downturn.

The online survey closes on 31 March and only takes around 10 minutes. To complete the survey visit www.efic.gov.au/gri .

Why should you participate?

All survey participants will receive a customised benchmark report for their business and a discounted subscription offer from EFIC’s GRi media partner, BRW magazine.

In addition, the first 250 participants will receive two Hoyts movie passes.

What did the GRi reveal last year?

In 2009, over 720 businesses across the country participated in the GRi. Most of these were small and medium-sized enterprises. You can view a summary of the 2009 results at www.efic.gov.au/gri.

The 2009 GRi took place during a worldwide credit crunch and a severe downturn in world trade and production. Despite this, the survey results showed that Australian businesses with export and offshore operations were optimistic about globalisation and had ambitious plans for growth. Eighty-four per cent of companies with offshore operations planned to expand them, 52% within 12 months. Of respondents without offshore operations, 44% planned to go offshore, 32% within the next two years.

The overwhelming motivation for companies to globalise was to increase revenues and market share. The next most important drivers were to gain proximity to end markets and the Australian market being too small.

Access to finance was rated by far the most significant obstacle to going global. Fifty-eight per cent of respondents saw it as a barrier (a steep increase on 2008) and 34% nominated it as the biggest obstacle. The smaller the revenue of a business, the more likely that finance was a barrier.

Register now for more EFIC updates

Register now with the International Division to get regular EFIC updates and future joint Master Builders and EFIC programs. Send your contact details to Keith Stubbs - kstubbs@mbav.com.au

Trade mission program

Master Builders conducts trade missions to selected markets on a regular basis.

The next missions will be to:

• April 2010 to Cityscape Abu Dhabi
• April 2010 to Project Qatar
• October 2010 to Cityscape Exhibition in Dubai
• November 2010 to the Big 5 Show in Dubai

Over 1,000 firms joined Master Builders’ missions to the Arabian Gulf since 1999. Contact the International Division now to receive your information pack on these trade missions to the booming Arabian Gulf markets.

Master Builders National Export Awards

Nominations are now being received for Master Builders 2010 National Export Awards which recognise outstanding export performance of firms in the building and construction sector.

An information pack is available from the international Division – email your expression of interest to kstubbs@mbav.com.au

Business matching program

Master Builders also hosts inbound missions and sets up individual business appointments for Australian firms with potential overseas partners.

Export diagnostic program

Master Builders has developed a unique export diagnostic program which is tailored to the needs of the building and construction industry. It is ideally suitable for firms considering exporting or who have had difficulty accessing export markets. The export diagnostics confirm the export potential for the firm and focuses the company on what needs to be put in place to develop export markets. The program includes developing strategies for export development.

Export Forums

Regular export forums are held featuring key speakers to discuss important topics and the "who", "what", "where", "why" type questions that exporters face when developing export markets.

The next Export Forums will be held in Perth on 16th June and Adelaide on 18th June. Register your interest now and receive an information pack from the International Division – email to kstubbs@mbav.com.au

International Business Club

Master Builders International Business Club provides a suite of services specifically aimed to allow members to leverage off Master Builders’ extensive international business linkages.

Further Information about Master Builders International Services may be obtained from Keith Stubbs, National Manager, International Division Ph 03 9411 4555, Fax 03 9411 4591 or be email kstubbs@mbav.com.au.