Cumberland City Council proudly hosted a NSW Export Capability Building Workshop, offering valuable insights and strategies for local businesses eager to expand into international markets. The workshop, held on Tuesday 22 July 2025 at the Granville Centre, was delivered by Investment NSW in partnership with The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group), ensuring local businesses could benefit from this highly beneficial opportunity.
This workshop forms part of Cumberland City Council’s broader commitment to cultivating an environment where both businesses and communities can flourish, by promoting the economic growth of the region and building strong partnerships with businesses, industry leaders, and stakeholders to create a thriving local economy.
Cumberland City is a driving force of economic activity in Western Sydney, with a diverse and dynamic export profile. Around seven to eight percent of Cumberland’s exports are destined for international markets translating into global exports of up to $760 million. This global footprint underscores Cumberland’s expanding international presence and highlights significant potential for future export growth.
Manufacturing plays a pivotal role in Cumberland's export economy, accounting for an impressive $5.39 billion, or nearly 44% of total exports. This strong performance highlights the area's well-established capabilities in food processing, machinery, and advanced manufacturing, with local businesses delivering high-quality products to markets across Australia and overseas. By offering tailored programs like the NSW Export Capability Building Workshop, Cumberland is actively supporting these critical sectors, empowering them to tap into global opportunities and contribute further to the region’s economic success.
Cumberland Mayor Ola Hamed praised the initiative and the importance of empowering local businesses to thrive.
“Cumberland is home to many innovative and driven entrepreneurs eager to scale their operations globally, and it’s vital they have access to the knowledge and resources needed to thrive on the international stage. This workshop, made possible through the generous support of Investment NSW and Ai Group, provided essential insights and practical tools that will empower our businesses to explore new international markets and grow beyond our borders,” said Mayor Hamed.
“Initiatives like this not only empower individual businesses but also strengthen our local economy and create long-term opportunities for growth and job creation.”
Investment NSW Trade and International Executive Director Karla Lampe said supporting more businesses to export, in particular small and medium enterprises (SMEs), is a key focus for the NSW Government as part of its Trade and Investment Strategy.
“Programs like our Export Capability Building Workshops aim to inspire and support businesses in the early stages of their export journey by providing essential knowledge, market insights, and valuable connections to succeed internationally. While SMEs are vital to the NSW economy, only a small percent currently export due to challenges such as time constraints, costs, and regulatory complexities. Our workshops are designed to overcome these barriers, equipping businesses with the tools and expertise needed to achieve their international growth goals,” said Ms Karla Lampe.
The session, led by Helen Chen, Senior Export Adviser at Investment NSW, provided attendees with practical guidance on how to assess export readiness, identify suitable global markets, and develop strong export strategies. Ms. Su Zhang, CEO of Star Combo Pharma, a leading Cumberland-based business, served as the keynote speaker, and shared her journey and expertise in scaling Star Combo to become a successful international exporter of premium health and natural beauty products. The workshop also covered essential export topics such as market research, protecting intellectual property, developing a value proposition, and accessing finance.
The event was part of a broader initiative by Investment NSW and Ai Group, delivering a series of foundational exporting workshops across regional NSW and Sydney, aimed at enhancing the export-readiness of businesses and equip them with the skills necessary to succeed in global markets.
For more information about the NSW Export Capability Building Workshop, visit Cumberland City Council’s website at www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/event/nsw-export-capability-workshop.
