ELEVEN
Cairns businesses hope to impress potential private funding sources with proposals
![]()
![]()
to reach new markets for their product lines and services.
The businesses have participated in the Queensland Government’s prestigious Fast Tracking Tropical Business II program for the past month.
The Fast Tracking program, developed and run by consultants Pyksis Pty Ltd, helps successful and innovative local businesses to build on their success. The program involved two full-day workshops, mentoring and coaching and roundtable discussions.
They will culminate with a “graduation showcase” where the participating businesses will present their projects to an expert panel meeting at Cairns Regional Council on Wednesday, July 25, 2012.
Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning principal regional development officer Kathy Rankin said the panel will comprise representatives of private funding sources and potential end-market users of their products and services.
“The graduation showcase is their chance to shine and impress the would-be sources of future funds to help get their projects up and running,” Ms Rankin said.
“Businesses involved in the inaugural Fast Tracking program last year have since gone from strength to strength as a result.
“Environment and Energy Systems went on to become a Tier 1 Contractor to a large mining company in
Papua New Guinea.
“Innisfail business, IBS Engineering Supplies Pty Ltd is now expanding into new regions and targeting new sectors, including mining and energy.
“Businesses participating in this year’s program have put forward some exciting project ideas and ways to build on their success.”
She said the program provided practical information on how to build on their strengths and fast-track its development and profitability through finding new markets.
“The key subjects tackled in the program are marketing, intellectual property protection, business models, teamwork, funding opportunities and marketing and presentation skills.
“From a strategic point of view, Fast Tracking Tropical Business II is an important activity and part of the Queensland Government’s work to diversify our economic base and grow its four pillars of tourism, agriculture, resources and construction.
“Our region’s ideal location in the Asia-Pacific region offers growth opportunities in tropical expertise and we continue to work on establishing the
Cairns region as a trade hub for business in
Papua New Guinea and the Pacific region.”