Showing off Geraldton businesses

Business women in Geraldton hope to pitch Mid West products to a new Asian market.

Led by Regional Development Australia’s Barbara Thompson, Geraldton group Women Inspiring Better Business will look at establishing a “virtual trade-fair,” to showcase product in Sri Lanka, an island country of more than 21 million people.

The idea came after the group recently hosted Sri Lankan Women Trading Globally, a cohort of Sri Lankan small business owners attempting to crack international markets.

According to the Federal Government, two-way trade between Australia and the South Asian nation passed $1 billion in 2017.

Major Australian exports included vegetables, motor vehicles, wheat and paper, while major imports included tea, textile clothing, clothing accessories and vegetable oils and fats.

Ms Thompson said she believed the Sri Lankan market offered opportunities for business people to increase profits and learn about selling to people from different cultures.

“I think it will create economic and social opportunity, as well as teach local business owners to market to the diverse consumers that exist in our growing multicultural society,” Ms Thompson said.

“It’s about building up our networks, supporting each other, and bring up change, especially for women.”

Ms Thompson said Australia was on positive display during the cohort’s time in Geraldton, showing the country was capable, hungry for opportunity and a strong believer in a “fair go”.

The 15 Sri Lankan delegates represented a range of industries including food, fashion, manufacturing and tourism.

Marine Terrance restaurant HarbourView Geraldton will host the next WIBBs event, a networking sundowner, on June 27 at 5.30pm.