Hot Glass Fiji Gets Freight Assistance Relief
Afreight assistance package designed for Pacific exporters has 30 successful recipients who now receive a financial grant.
The Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia’s COVID-19 Freight Assistance Package was launched in 2020 following a Pacific Islands export survey.
Under the grant, enterprises can get as much as $2500 to offset freight costs.
The survey revealed that freight costs were one of the top three barriers to export faced by Pacific businesses, exacerbated when COVID-19 drastically affected shipping routes and inflated costs.
Kototogo-based Hot Glass Fiji is among successful applicants of the grant.
Owner Alex Hill’s glass-blowing studio, said the assistance was a much-needed support and relief.
“We are really happy with the Freight Assistance Package,” he said.
“In our business, the cost of shipping and access to payment gateways are the two major handbrakes on exporting.
“This initiative from PTI Australia is not just very helpful and timely, but also targets a real issue for businesses like ours.”
PTI Australia’s COVID-19 Freight Assistance Package is designed to provide tangible relief to businesses in the Pacific during the unprecedented pressures the COVID-19 economic crisis has presented.
Supporting growth
The package also aims to support the growth in demand for Pacific goods and services in international markets and the long-term development of eCommerce in the Blue Pacific.
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Dame Meg Taylor, said PTI Australia’s Freight Assistance Package was a proactive example of understanding and alleviating pain points currently facing the region’s private sector.
“PTI Australia’s Freight Assistance Package is a visible extension of the work being done by the Forum,” she said.
“It shows a deep understanding of the challenges faced by our Members and Pacific exporters, coupled with a straightforward simple solution.
“These targeted and informed initiatives are crucial to support the economic recovery for all nations that make up our Blue Pacific.”
Jeremy Grennell, PTI Australia’s general manager of export, said the feedback from the Freight Assistance Package was overwhelmingly positive.
“We are so pleased to roll out the Freight Assistance Package and witness the incredible impact it is having on SMEs in the Pacific.”
Criteria
All recipients of PTI Australia’s COVID-19 Freight Assistance Package must have a registered business in one of the Pacific Island Forum countries, be currently exporting to Australia or utilising eCommerce to ship globally, or are an Australian-based importer importing products from a registered Pacific Island business.
Founded in 1979, PTI Australia is an agency of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
Funded by the Australian Government, it facilitates trade and investment in the Pacific Islands.