Agricultural businesses in the Yass Valley are already reaping the benefits of direct flights between Canberra and Singapore thanks to increased opportunities for export throughout Asia.
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Yass Valley Council economic development and tourism manager Sean Haylan said several large businesses were enjoying openings in high-end inbound tourism and export since the flights started in September.
"Agri-business is Yass Valley's highest single economic driver and since the international flights opened last month between Canberra and South East Asia many new opportunities exist for our local businesses due to access to the markets, with Singapore being a hub for China, Korea and Indonesia," he said.
"In addition, it's about the quality of what's produced here and the opportunities that this access opens up.
"Yass Valley businesses are producing many high-quality Australian products which are highly sought after in Asian countries, and those Asian countries are prepared to pay a premium price."
Shaw Vineyard Estate in Murrumbateman already boasts distribution to China, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines and collected the Regional Exporter award in the ACT Chief Minister's Export Awards last month.
Yass Valley Beef and Lamb is another business exploring its opportunities abroad.
The company sold live sheep to China this year for breeding and owner Landon Hodgkinson said the company planned to export to another Asian market next year.
Producers in the region were speaking with each other about how best to brand their produce, capitalising on the region's reputation for quality and its ability to provide a traceable product, he said, paying tribute to the support provided by Meat and Livestock Australia and the Canberra Business Chamber.
"There's definitely growth opportunities and everyone's going through that planning stage," he said.
"Obviously when you've got an international airport right next to you it can only be value-added."
Orient Partners, a business which aims to set up trade opportunities between the Canberra region and China, has also been working with Yass Valley Beef and Lamb.
Orient Partners director Lewis Jones said, "It's a two-way street – the more people we can get to visit here, the more export opportunities will become available to the region, whether that's small consumer goods being sold out of Canberra airport, or big exports of high-quality produce that the region is renowned for, such as beef and lamb."
