Business bulletin: 9 September 2019

The development of the Territory’s industry sectors and trade and investment opportunities are being promoted through a range of activities and events during September.

The events promote business and development opportunities in the Territory to interstate and international businesses and investors and support our local Territory businesses to benefit from increased investment.

Events already held in early September where important connections were made between businesses, industry groups and potential investors included:

• NT Resources Week - northern Australia’s largest resources and construction industry conference and exhibition, encompassing:
  • South East Asia Australia Offshore and Onshore Conference (SEAAOC)
  • Mining the Territory
  • NT Resources Industry Environmental Management and Logistics Forum
• Aboriginal Enterprises in Mining, Energy and Exploration Conference.

Upcoming events during September include:

• The annual Facing North function showcasing northern Australia to politicians and other key decision makers in Canberra to accelerate development of the region.
  Held on 9 September at Parliament House, Canberra, the event emphasises the heart of our development is a partnership and shared vision with the Australian Government that recognises that northern Australia is essential to Australia’s security and prosperity. The invitation‑only event will be attended by Federal Parliamentary members, Australian, Territory and local government, corporate and industry influencers from interstate and the Territory. Representatives from more than 250 Territory businesses are participating in the event, which is a collaboration between the Darwin Major Business Group (DMBG) and the Northern Territory Government.
• The Australian Drilling Industry Association’s DRILL 2019 conference and exhibition, being held in Darwin on 17 to 19 September. The single, biggest impediment to further expansion of drilling services in Australia is a lack of skilled personnel. DRILL 2019 focuses on how the industry is dealing with and responding to this.
• The Chief Minister's Export and Industry Awards in Darwin on 26 September celebrate the success of Northern Territory businesses that excel in international exports and local business success through their untiring efforts, planning and innovative approach. Winners progress to the Australian Export Awards and receive national recognition for their international success.

Nigel Browne, CEO, Larrakia Development Corporation is pictured above with Raymond Pratt, Director Dice Australia, CEO AllGrid Energy, at the Aboriginal Enterprises in Mining, Energy and Exploration Conference.

To learn how Territory businesses can be involved in some of these events and other upcoming opportunities, go to The Territory website.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner and Chief Executive of the Department of Trade, Business and Innovation Shaun Drabsch recently joined Investment Territory General Manager Luke Bowen to meet with stakeholders and further outline Investment Territory’s approach to identifying and securing new private investment to the Territory and providing stronger investment stewardship to businesses along their investor journey.

Investment Territory is delivering a more coordinated and efficient approach to attracting and securing investment in the Territory, leading the whole-of-government effort to double the Territory’s average growth rate from the current forecast of 2.5% to 5%, adding a billion dollars to the Territory economy and creating jobs.

Investment Territory brings together key private‑sector investment attraction functions from across government and will help deliver the recommendations of the Plan for Budget Repair (Langoulant report).

Investment Territory is now home to all of the Territory key investment attraction functions including, northern Australia development and trade, international engagement, major and facilitated projects, and the Local Jobs Fund.

The team has three key roles:

• strategic leadership and coordination of the whole of government approach to investment attraction
• engaging with the market to grow awareness and build our key trade and economic relationships
• investment facilitation for major projects, facilitated projects and significant projects.

You can contact Investment Territory by phone 1800 733 458 or email investmentterritory@nt.gov.au

A three‑year environmental contract with INPEX has created two full time roles to conduct a range of environmental monitoring activities such as mangrove community health, vegetation surveillance, surface and groundwater water quality.

Jacobs, which has been operating in Darwin since 1982 and employs 23 specialists at its Parap office, has been supporting INPEX Operations with environmental stewardship at the Ichthys LNG onshore and offshore facilities since late 2017.

Environmental Scientist, Claire Costello transitioned to Jacobs after spending 18 months working in the field with a construction subcontractor on Ichthys LNG.

“I have been involved in a range of field work activities across many of the aspects of environmental monitoring to support the INPEX team,” Claire said

“I have been fortunate enough to see some amazing bird life out at Bladin Point, including jabirus, and I particularly love working on the product loading jetty - we were super lucky to see manta rays the other week!”

Claire Costello and Celeste Wilson are pictured conducting water quality monitoring on a regular basis at the Ichthys LNG onshore facilities.

A new Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA) project will set the scene for exploring the most prospective new investors interested in tapping into northern Australia's agricultural opportunities.

The CRCNA has engaged professional services firm, PwC, to deliver the research, in a project co-designed by the CRCNA and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade).

Over the next seven months, the project team will engage with a range of investment interests and stakeholders including representatives from state, territory and Australian government agencies (including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade).

Trade and Investment Bureaus, Primary Industry departments, Traditional Owner-led business and economic groups as well as global investor networks identified by PwC, Austrade, and state and territory investment attraction agencies will also be engaged.

CRCNA Chair, Sheriden Morris said the research would put all the cards on the table and develop a clear pathway forward.

"At the end of this project, the CRCNA, Austrade, and key stakeholders will know the investor types who have the appetite and expertise to manage the risks and uncertainty of new agricultural development in the north.

"We want these investors to know northern Australia is open for business and they can invest here with confidence," she said.

Austrade Senior Investment Specialist, Anne Maree Weston, said the project had come together following extensive feedback from international and domestic clients and investors.

"We know there is significant interest in unlocking new agricultural development across the north, but some prospective investors are wary about real - and perceived - challenges.

It is important to articulate and address those challenges and outline a clear pathway to success," she said.

PwC Australia Partner, Sean O' O'Meara, said PwC would use its global network to identify potential investors who fit a profile of what is needed to activate northern Australia’s agricultural sector.

"We are excited to work with the CRCNA and Austrade on this nationally significant project,” he said.

The final report and recommendations are due to be completed by early 2020.

Department of Trade, Business and Innovation’s Central region small business champions recently completed a road trip to engage face‑to‑face with some of the many businesses that are remotely located in Central Australia.

The team visited businesses and organisation including Stuarts Well Roadhouse, Orange Creek Station, Docker River MacDonnell Regional Council, Uluru Camels, Muttitjulu Kings Creek Station, Kings Canyon Resort and many other businesses and organisation.

They talked about the opportunity for many of these businesses and organisations to access the programs offered to help grow and develop businesses, including:

• Alcohol Secure and Biz Secure can assist making their businesses more secure
• Business Growth programs can ensure they have the tools to assess, support and grow their businesses
• Smarter Business Solutions can work with businesses and organisations to reduce not only their costs but also their carbon footprint.

Networks and valuable contacts were made that will facilitate communication on how the Department can work in these areas to support the businesses and organisation in the remote regions to grow and prosper.

If you are a Territory business, Aboriginal enterprise or not‑for‑profit, a small business champion can assist you with support, networking, contacts, information, tools and resources.

For more information and to get in touch, go to the Northern Territory Government website.

Pictured here during the road trip are Small Business Champion Ross Nowland and Sam Hill of Smarter Business Solutions.

The Northern Territory (NT) will once again ‘take over; Canberra for the Facing North presentation.

Hundreds of Territorians - from the Chief Minister to young entrepreneurs - will demonstrate that the NT is a vibrant, growing part of Australia.

The annual Facing North showcases northern Australia to members of Parliament and other key decision makers with the aim of accelerating development of the region.

It will be held in the Great Hall of Parliament House from 6pm to 8pm on Monday 9 September.

The fact that the event is being staged in the Great Hall is a demonstration of the growing importance Facing North has in the development of northern Australia.

Jari van Lingen, who founded Cartel’s Cold Brew coffee in Darwin last year, will use Facing North to launch his latest product, Cartel’s Cocktail Cold Brew.

“It’s a thrill to be going to Parliament House,” he says. “It’s a big stage and I’m a bit nervous.”

Jari says business is going well.

“Our products are becoming well known and we’re building up a core of loyal customers,” he says.

Jari started Cartel’s after noticing the increased popularity for cold drip coffee.

Don’t confuse his cold brew with cold drip - he uses time rather than heat to extract oils and caffeine from coffee beans, making it 70% less acidic than regular coffee and better for your stomach and teeth.

Facing North is an initiative of the Darwin Major Business Group, which is made up of 14 of the Territory’s most successful businesses and chaired by NT Airports Chief Executive Ian Kew.

It is strongly supported by the Territory Government.

The collaboration between government and private enterprise shows Territorians are working together to accelerate development of the north.

Representatives from more than 250 Territory businesses are taking part in the invitation-only event.

Facing North has been held annually since 2017. In 2018, 580 invitations were sent out and more than 400 guests attended.

Territorians are taking a strong message to Canberra, including the importance of northern Australia and the Northern Territory to the future prosperity and security of the country, and the economic opportunities presented by the NT’s close proximity to South-East Asia and China.