Assistant Treasurer and Labor Senator for Tasmania, Senator Nick Sherry and the Hon Duncan Kerr MP, Federal Member for Denison and Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, have praised Tasmania's strong state trade performance after the release of the latest annual figures.
The Assistant Treasurer and Parliamentary Secretary Kerr also praised the local business community in Denison for making a major contribution to this state-wide outcome.
"Tasmania's more than holding its own in Australia's economy, as evidenced by these trade figures," said the Assistant Treasurer.
"The figures for the year ending June 2009 reveal Tasmania has managed to hold onto its export markets despite the onset of the global recession."
"The figures also show Tasmania is the state with the biggest surplus in traded goods in percentage terms - managing to export three times as many goods as it imported."
"Tasmania's net surplus in traded goods for the year to June was $2.53 billion, with exports of almost $3.5 billion and imports of $956 million."
"Mineral resources play a big part in Tasmania's trade surplus with zinc, aluminium, and copper, along with wood, among the top five exports. Tasmania's famous natural food products, including seafood, meat, cheese and chocolate are also in the top dozen."
In the electorate of Denison, Mr Kerr pointed to the success story of Lark Distillery as a good example of the growing range of businesses making a contribution to the state's excellent balance of trade.
Lark Distillery began exporting its range of whiskeys and other spirits in 2008. Since then, they have won a number of awards and have expanded employment here and abroad in order to grow the business. Lark is now selling whiskey abroad in Europe and the UK - and is even helping to set up distilleries and selling whiskey to the Scottish.
"Hobart's business community have played a major role in this excellent statewide outcome - we should be proud of our achievements," said Mr Kerr.
"Businesses such as Lark Distillery show us all just how resilient and diverse the local economy is, even in the face of the global recession."
"The national building economic stimulus plan has also strongly supported local businesses and communities through these tough times."
More details of the National Building Stimulus Plan are available at www.economicstimulusplan.gov.au and the full trade data set is available at the Australian Bureau of Statistics website at www.abs.gov.au.