OBM Newsletter - June 2008
Acquisition allows OBM to move into WA market
OBM International Trade Services has acquired WA-based consulting firm, Trade Consultants Australia to create a trade logistics and consulting company with one of the most comprehensive and varied range of skills and services in Australia.
According to OBM’s Managing Director, Mike O’Brien, the acquisition finally gives OBM a strategic foothold in the important West Australian market.
“We’ve been looking at WA for some time but we didn’t want to enter that market with an offering that was just a ‘me too’ product,” Mr O’Brien said.
Founder and principal of Trade Consultants Australia, Guy Illy, has accepted a national consulting role under the new arrangement while the WA operation will be run by Antony Carlton, who has been a senior manager with TCA for four years.
“The acquisition of Trade Consultants Australia, with its highly specialised expertise in the Enhanced Project By-Law System (EPBS), gives us a significant point of difference in the WA market from day one and one we plan to build on,” O’Brien said.
The EPBS allows concessions for Customs duties, to companies undertaking major projects, provided certain stringent criteria are met by the proponents.
“It’s a narrow but deep niche because EPBS is complex and has extensive compliance obligations. It also means that we inherit an important skill set. This provides us with a complete service offering that’s very difficult to match in our market,” Mr O’Brien said.
“OBM’s existing expertise in customs, indirect tax, R&D and other trade-related services will be immediately available to the Perth operation, while Trade Consultants Australia’s EPBS skills will also now be available to our Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane operations.”
Should you require further information in relation to this article, please feel free to contact our Consultancy Principal Adam Rogers on 1300 139 454.
Cargo restrictions during the Olympics
In connection with the upcoming Olympic Games, China has issued a resolution to enforce road limitations and special cargo restrictions around and through the Beijing area.
In accordance with these restrictions, starting from 9th June through to 21st September 2008, all import and export cargo to and from Mongolia will have to be transported through whole rail mode only i.e. no trucking service will be available. Also, it is important to note that special cargo, such as Dangerous Goods, reefers, Out of Gauge containers, 45' containers and products from animal origin such as cashmere, cow/sheep skin is banned from being transported.
Import cargo not transported via whole rail mode may end up staying in Xingang until the ban is over. Any costs and delays associated with holding freight for non-compliance with special cargo and weight restriction rules will be the responsibility of the customer.
Should you require further information or clarification on how the above information may affect your business, please do not hesitate to contact your local OBM office.
Source: Maersk Line (Customer Advisory) Date: 23.06.2008
Federal Government's commitment to grow Australian export market
The Federal Government has begun delivering on the Government’s commitment to boost Australia’s trade performance.
The funding for Australia’s Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme, the scheme that provides financial assistance to aspiring and current exporters, will be boosted by $50 million. This will bring total funding available for grants on eligible business expenditure in 2008-09 to more than $200 million. Also, the promotional expenses which attract EMDG grants to Australian exporters will be subject to more generous assessment criteria and a higher maximum grant during this period.
“If we want to secure our future beyond the resources boom, we have to engage much better with the fastest-growing area of opportunity – world trade.” Mr Crean, the Minister for Trade, said. “The Government went to the election with one of its major commitments to improve Australia’s trade performance. This expansion represents a down payment on that commitment.”
Some of the other changes to the EMDG scheme include: more generous thresholds; the inclusion of patenting costs in the scheme; access to the scheme for non-profit export development bodies; restored accountability through a ‘Net Benefit To Australia’ test; and allowing all services to be considered eligible unless otherwise specified.
The review of export policies and programs chaired by David Mortimer, announced last month, will examine how the Government can further improve the operation of the EMDG scheme and help ensure that the scheme provides the most effective support for Australian exporters.
Should you wish to discuss how these matters affect your business please contact Adam Rogers from our Consulting team on (07)3854-1227 or our toll free number 1300 139 454.
Source: http://www.trademinister.gov.au/releases/2008/sc_022.html Date: 25.03.2008 | 
