PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The South Australian government has established an Export Recovery Taskforce to support exporters in the region through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Minister for Trade and Investment David Ridgway said the taskforce would work to identify impacts across export sectors and to coordinate government intervention and support for affected businesses.

“The taskforce will work to identify possible policy and programme responses to help address the economic effect of the Covid-19.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented situation for exporters, and we are working to minimise disruption to these critical industries,” Ridgway said.

“South Australia has an immense task ahead of us, and the impacts of Covid-19 are being felt across all export sectors. We recognise the enormous economic and logistical issues challenging our industries, businesses and individuals right now as a result of the necessary restrictions on travel.”

The Minister said the taskforce will consist of representatives from key freight entities and will also seek input from air, sea and freight businesses, as well as exporters with a particular focus on fresh food.

The first meeting of the taskforce, which was held at the end of last week via video conference, sought input from a wide range of exporters, and was aimed at comprehensively identifying the impacts and targeting government intervention and support.

“The meeting focussed on the logistical supply chain. Our focus right now is minimising the impact being felt by exporters with the cessation of international air freight,” the Minister said.

“The taskforce has the ability to expand its membership to include additional contributors around specific issues and release other contributors as the focus of work changes. We need to be flexible and adaptable during these unprecedented times.”

The taskforce would also seek input from and be supported by a Working Group, made up of representatives of the Department for Trade and Investment, Primary Industries and Regions South Australia, the Department of Innovation and Skills and Austrade.

“It is critical during this time that we advocate and connect with our cross-government and federal colleagues, to prioritise and direct policy responses to the appropriate area of government.

“The situation is changing daily, with different challenges in different regions. That’s why we are utilising our government’s international trade offices, to get up-to-date information from within these markets to better assist South Australian businesses.”

The taskforce will meet weekly via video conference and will be reviewed at the end of May.