Australian Government confirms refreshed mandate for Asialink Business
11 May 2023: The Federal Budget committed $14.9 million to equip Australian businesses with the essential skills and capabilities to further boost and diversify Australia’s trade ties, providing renewed funding for Asialink Business, Australia’s National Centre for Asia Capability.
Since 2013, Asialink Business has carved out an important role in the Australian economy, helping thousands of Australian organisations and professionals seize opportunities in Asia. The funding announced in the 2023-24 Federal Budget re-affirms the critical mission of Asialink Business in creating an Asia-capable Australian workforce, providing an essential resource for businesses looking to pursue opportunities in our region.
Asialink Business CEO Leigh Howard said the budget funding shows the government understands what’s required to unlock new commercial opportunities and is committed to advancing economic and trade interests with Asia.
"The Federal Government’s announcement of renewed funding and a refreshed mandate for Asialink Business is a significant milestone in our ten-year history. It endorses Asialink Business as a key pillar of the Asialink Group, a national resource for Australian industry, and the vital role we will continue to play in helping Australia to realise its economic potential with Asia.”
Howard highlighted that as the growth engine of the global economy, Asia offers compelling opportunities for Australian businesses, not only for Australian exports, which have underpinned Australian economic growth and prosperity, but also in contributing Australian innovation and expertise to address key regional challenges such as food security, energy transition, and digital transformation.
"As the National Centre for Asia Capability, our vision is to achieve widespread Asia capabilities in the Australian workforce and equip businesses with the knowledge and skills to be successful. We look forward to building on our track record to expand the scale and impact of our programs from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of participants in the years ahead.”
Asialink Group CEO Martine Letts highlighted the significant contribution of Asialink Business as part of the Asialink Group, an Australian institution which has been at the forefront of Australia’s engagement with the region for over thirty years.
"Renewed funding for Asialink Business comes at a critical time for Australia’s engagement with the region. The Asialink Group is integral to advancing Australia’s literacy and engagement with Asia across the wider community. We are an indispensable and trusted partner, well positioned to support the Australian Government to deliver on its integrated foreign policy agenda.”
Asialink Business is proudly supported by an extensive network of clients, partners, advisory council and team members, past and present. We are pleased to acknowledge the support we receive from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and the University of Melbourne for their vision and continued investment in Asialink Business for Australia’s future.
Read the announcement from the Minister for Foreign Affairs here.
View the media release here.
Media Contact:
Claire Stephens
Associate Director, Strategic Growth
E: c.stephens@asialinkbusiness.com.au
M: +61 432 414 863