Boosting Australia's manufacturing reputation

Science Industry Australia (SIA) has announced the formation of the Technology Export Manufacturing Group (TEMG) in NSW to try and boost the state and nation's reputation as an exporter of manufactured goods and services.

"Australia risks being consigned to being thought of only as a pub, holiday destination, somewhere to send the kids for uni or as a quarry," said Duncan Jones, executive director of SIA, at the recent launch of TEMG-NSW.

"Unless we rapidly raise our worldwide profile as a source of elaborately transformed manufactured goods and services, this is our fate."

The TEMG brings together like-minded individuals from the technology export sector to learn, mentor and network.

"The TEMG concept has been working very well in Victoria, showcasing that state's very strong technology export manufacturing sector," said Dr Geoffrey Burge, managing director of Beckman Coulter and president of the SIA.

"The Victorian government funds the TEMG gatherings every quarter allowing experienced exporters to mentor those just starting out with the do's and don'ts of international trade."

The meetings of TEMG-NSW are open to all technology manufacturers and details of the meetings can be found at http://scienceindustry.squarespace.com/temg-nsw/.