A lot of the issues are exactly the same when we're talking about trade and international markets and trying to break into those.
- Jamie Chaffey
MOBILE abattoirs, knitting kits and horse nutrition calculation software were among the products and services represented at a recent exporting workshop.
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The free masterclass, hosted by Namoi Unlimited in Tamworth on Thursday, aimed to help the region's producers, farmers and entrepreneurs crack into or develop their export markets.
More than 25 people heard from speakers including Namoi Unlimited chairman and Gunnedah shire mayor Jamie Chaffey, Lively Linseed owner Jacqui Donoghue and international business strategist Cynthia Dearin.
They shared the hows and whys of connecting with international markets and consumers, as well as the opportunities and pitfalls.
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Cr Chaffey said the joint regional councils were dedicated to "international engagement and growing our region", and there had been "a lot of learnings out of the day" - both from the experts and among the businesses.
"The businesses that turned up that were a bit sheepish about sharing their message or their journey in the room, [by the end] realised it wasn't unique; what they're going through or where they're at," he said.
"A lot of the issues are exactly the same when we're talking about trade and international markets and trying to break into those. I think that was comforting for a lot of these businesses."
He said there were many experts and organisations "ready, willing and able to ... help to develop businesses in our region for more diversity, for more stability - but also, more importantly, to make sure the jobs are here in the bush and people can stay here."
Understanding grows
One of the attendees was FeedXL.com co-owner Nerida Richards, whose business is already international, including in New Zealand, Canada, USA, UK, Ireland.
Her software aims to help horse owners identify gaps in their animal's nutrition, and design the perfect diet for its age, breed, weight and workload.
She said she'd gone to the event hoping "to understand our export markets a little bit better and trying to identify some things we can do to help increase our sales in export markets".