The State Government is to revamp its Gateway Business Program to provide greater flexibility for businesses and ensure that all the available funding assists exporters and does not languish in state coffers.

Minister for Investment and Trade Martin Hamilton-Smith revealed the review while announcing on Tuesday the latest tranche of grants under the program which assists small and medium sized (SME) businesses to market internationally.

“I’m looking to review the rules for its management so that it’s freed up a little bit,” he said.

“I think, for example, there have been strict rules about second applications within a certain timeframe, certain restrictions on access to the fund that I’m looking to review, because, for example, if you have had a grant to perhaps go to the US and Europe and a couple of years later you want to go to China or India, should you necessarily be excluded?

“I think we need to look at the quality of the applicants rather than rule people out even before they cross over the start line. So I want to make it more flexible, to free it up and make sure that every dollar is deployed.”

Hamilton-Smith said that when he first came into the portfolio he discovered there were years in the past when the scheme’s funds had not been fully deployed.

“That was unacceptable to me and I have instructed my agency to ensure that every dollar is deployed each year and it is partly why I called for a complete review as Minister of the rules for the management of this program so that we get it all out into the hands of business.

“I would like to see more money in the fund and I intend to use it to help companies come to India on a trade mission in August and I’m giving consideration to China.”

Chief Executive Nigel McBride welcomed the review of the program which he said had been under-subscribed for too long “reflecting the fact that SME’s were struggling with how to effectively access the assistance”.

Business SA is in discussion with Hamilton-Smith and his office on leading a group of SME businesses as part of a trade mission to Shandong, China, in May 2015.

Hamilton-Smith appealed for SMEs to apply for the funding which currently totals $750,000 a year.

“I would like to reach out to other companies across the state – country and city – who might be needing help to go into international markets and apply for Business Gateway funding.

“I want to make sure that every dollar that we have in Business Gateway is deployed but we need high quality applicants. They are out there but they may not know about Business Gateway (and) the money is there.

Hamilton-Smith made the announcement at animation and game production house Monkeystack.

Director Justin Wright said the funding would help promote Monkeystack’s work and skills to potential overseas buyers.

“We are a small studio on the cusp of being ready to grow, particularly with the intellectual property our company is currently developing,” Wright said.

“Generating most of our revenue from overseas contracts, rather than local fee for service work, can create more opportunities and higher profit margins,” he said.

“If we leverage on the success of our first gaming product, our company can anticipate a growth rate of 100 per cent or more – particularly in a global market.”

Other grant recipients were:

• Skybree Pty Ltd – $25,000. Trading as Sky Seafoods, the Robe-based company distributes quality Southern Rock Lobsters locally and abroad.
• Rowett Onions – $25,000. Located in the Tatiara region of South Australia, the company supplies premium onions to the domestic market and has recently sent its first shipment to Singapore and Papua New Guinea.
• Total Electrical – $25,000. Trading as Gate Drive Systems Australia, the company is a manufacturer of commercial and industrial swing and sliding gate automation equipment.
• Munbrae – $23,500. Trading as Royal Rooster, the Willaston-based company manufactures a range of aluminium-framed mobile chicken coops, chicken drinker and feeder sets.
• Natural Oysters – $15,950. Based in Coffin Bay, Natural Oysters distribute their high-end product to niche markets in China and Asia.
• Murray Street Vineyards – $15,000. The Barossa Valley company employs sustainable practices to produce wines for high-end, niche markets.
• Universal Free Fall Winch – $5,000. The Plympton-based company, designs and manufactures quality sailboat winches.