Business bulletin: 28 May 2025

The Northern Territory Government’s reaffirmed commitment to the Energy Link Project is great news for Territorians, businesses, and the economy.

The proposed project includes a multi-user, multi-asset infrastructure corridor that will stretch from Elliott to Darwin.

It will deliver a buried services corridor designed to carry gas, water, optical fibre, hydrogen, and other utilities critical to the Territory’s future.

This project will support the coordinated development of gas, hydrogen, and critical minerals industries, while also future proofing infrastructure services like water and fibre optics.

The Territory Energy Link is key to unlocking private investment and accelerating projects especially in and around the Beetaloo Sub-basin.

It will connect the Beetaloo to Darwin and the world, laying the foundations for new investment and creation of local jobs. It will also ensure the Territory leads the nation in securing next-generation energy and infrastructure.

A tender has been awarded to provide on-demand specialist technical advice to the project team.

This expert support will drive corridor planning and pipeline development, ensuring the 670km priority section is development-ready by 2028.

For more information: https://infrastructure.nt.gov.au/project/territory-energy-link

There is still time to nominate our outstanding Territory exporters for this year’s Chief Minister’s NT Export Awards.

Territory exporters make an important contribution the NT economy by creating local jobs, supporting business growth, and attracting new investment. The Territory’s exports are currently valued at $8.9 billion.

The Awards recognise the achievements of Territory international trade businesses and the impact they have on both the Territory and the nation’s economy.

Chair of the International Business Council and previous NT Exporter Award winner, Kevin Mulvahil, said, “as a former recipient, I can say the Export Awards don’t just celebrate business – they build confidence, open new doors, and connect Territory talent to the world.

“Exports are critical to the Territory’s economy, and we want to recognise and celebrate our hard-working businesses doing their bit to grow our export sector. I encourage every eligible exporter to get involved and nominate today," he said.

This year there are 15 categories including NT Exporter of the Year with nominations sought across categories such as creative industries, small business, regional exporter, emerging exporter, agribusiness and food and beverage.

Nominations for the Chief Minister’s NT Export Awards close on 13 June.

Finalists and winners will be celebrated at a Gala Awards Ceremony in October.

Winners of the Northern Territory Export Awards will progress as finalists in the Australian Export Awards to compete against their peers at the national level.

For further information and to nominate visit: www.exportawards.gov.au

The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation’s Indigenous Fashion Projects program has taken to the world stage at Expo 2025 Osaka.

The Osaka World Expo provided an international platform for Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) to establish key connections within the Japanese fashion industry to establish future collaborations, retail opportunities and increased visibility in the Japanese market.

Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) partnered with the Office of the Arts and the Australia Pavilion at Expo 2025 on 3-4 May.

The IFP delegation included six First Nations designers and three First Nations models Together with the IFP team they presented a series of events that promote the Australian Indigenous fashion sectors including a groundbreaking panel discussion, a vibrant runway showcase, and business networking event.

Sammy Perry, Director of Events & Operations, DAAF Foundation, said the Osaka World Expo provides a strategic platform for IFP and the delegates to establish key connections within the Japanese fashion industry, supporting First Nations Australian designers and models to enter the market.

“Our events were aimed at generating interest in sustainable and ethically produced products and highlighting the unique and cultural significance of First Nations fashion and its growing influence in the global landscape.

“By fostering cultural exchange and business connections in fashion we are deepening Australia’s relationship with Japan and creating new economic opportunities for First Nations designers.”

More than 150 nations will participate in Expo 2025 Osaka with 28 million visitors expected to attend the event which will run from April to October 2025.

Photo credit: Indigenous Fashion Projects, photographer Tangiora Hinaki, Ngaarda Media.

A new report released by The Waste and Recycling Industry Association NT (WRINT) has revealed the industry delivers close to $200 million towards the local economy each year.

The waste industry is an important contributor to the Northern Territory economy, providing businesses and the community with employment, infrastructure and services in collection, processing, recycling, and disposal of waste.

Over the past year, new infrastructure projects have come online to deliver recycling solutions for waste streams including tyres, glass, paper, and cardboard as well as construction and demolition waste.

WRINT President, Eileen Breen said every day, Territory waste and recycling businesses are proving what was once discarded can now drive economic value and environmental progress.

“WRINT members are delivering more than essential services, they’re generating jobs, building local capability, and providing the critical infrastructure that supports growth across our regions. As enablers of the circular economy in the North, our industry is creating long-term value for the Territory,” she said.

ICN NT Chief Executive Officer, Daniel McCormick said the report showed how robust data can drive smarter decisions – highlighting not only the waste and recycling sector’s contribution to the Northern Territory economy but also identifying new opportunities to build local capability.

The report was funded by NT Government in partnership with Industry Capability Network NT (ICN NT).

View the report: https://www.wrint.com.au/home/resources/

Last month, Study NT hosted eight international education agents in the Top End to showcase the Territory’s high quality international education and training sector.

The agents who hail from Canada, Nepal, Colombia, the Philippines, Kazakhstan and Australia first participated in the 18th annual ICEF Australia New Zealand Agent Event (ANZA) on the Gold Coast – an annual trade fair connecting local providers with international student recruitment agents.

The agents then travelled to the Top End for a 3-day familiarisation tour in Darwin where they visited our international education and training providers and purpose-built student accommodation options. They also learnt about work experience and employment prospects available to international students
and graduates.

During the famil, the agents had the opportunity to experience the Top End’s hospitality offerings, iconic sunsets and the diverse and vibrant lifestyle international students can enjoy in the Northern Territory.

Jessica Zuniga, CEO and Founder of Dream Way Travel and Education Agency said, “I had the pleasure of attending the Agent Famil 2025 in the NT, which was an incredibly valuable experience and further strengthened our commitment to promoting the NT as a destination for international students.”

International students strengthen cultural, social, and economic ties and bring diversity to the community and skills to the workforce, and the Northern Territory Government is committed to growing the number of international students choosing the Territory to study, live and work.