The NSW North Coast is hosting a three-day trade mission this week, bringing together 13 international delegates from 11 countries, including India, as part of an effort to highlight the region’s manufacturing strength, agricultural output and investment prospects.
Delegates from China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore and Switzerland are visiting communities across the region, including Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Kempsey, Lismore, Corindi, Woodburn, Chinderah and Tumbulgum. The programme is designed to give visiting officials and industry leaders direct access to local businesses and production facilities.
The North Coast, one of the faster-growing areas in New South Wales, has built a reputation around a mix of tourism, agriculture, food production and advanced manufacturing. Its proximity to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, along with expanding supply chains and export activity, has positioned it as an area of interest for international trade and investment.
The itinerary begins in Kempsey, where hat maker Akubra is marking 150 years of production. Delegates will tour the facility to observe how its products are made, with the company recognised globally for its handcrafted felt hats.
The group will then travel to Bellingen to visit Planet Lighting, a specialist LED manufacturer whose products are exported to markets including Europe and the Asia-Pacific. The company’s lighting systems have featured in installations such as metro networks in Paris and Berlin, as well as cultural and infrastructure projects in New Zealand and Australia. Its work was also included in a large-scale lighting display during the Paris Olympics, using hundreds of red and amber lights.
Further stops include the Norco dairy co-operative in Lismore, which sources milk from 190 farms across northern New South Wales and south-east Queensland and produces ice cream for domestic and export markets, including Asia.
Other visits on the schedule include Costa Group, which supplies berries and fresh produce across Australia and overseas, SeaO2Nutrition, a biotechnology firm working with microalgae-based products, Australian Bay Lobster Producers, which focuses on aquaculture and sustainable seafood production, and Husk Distillery, known for its cane-to-bottle rum and gin exported across the Asia-Pacific region.
Government representatives say the visits are designed to give delegates a closer look at how regional businesses operate, with meetings planned with owners and operators to explore possible partnerships and export opportunities.
New South Wales Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said the North Coast is well placed to compete internationally, pointing to its industries and workforce.
“The North Coast is a powerhouse of regional NSW, with world-class industries, a skilled workforce and the innovation needed to compete in global markets,” she said.
“By bringing international delegates to the North Coast, we’re opening doors for local businesses, attracting investment and creating new opportunities for jobs and economic growth.”
Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said trade missions are helping regional areas connect more directly with overseas markets.
“Trade missions like this ensure regional communities are at the forefront of economic growth, helping to strengthen and diversify local economies and create sustainable opportunities for the future,” he said.
“By strengthening relationships with international partners, we’re opening the door for more exports, more investment, and more jobs for people in the North Coast and across the state.”
Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said the programme gives international visitors a chance to see the breadth of local industry firsthand.
“I am thrilled to welcome this international delegation to the beautiful North Coast to see firsthand the incredible innovation coming out of our regional communities,” she said.
“From handcrafted manufacturing in Kempsey to pioneering lighting technology in Bellingen and world-class dairy production in Lismore, our local businesses are proving that regional NSW can compete on the global stage.”
Akubra chief executive Natalie Culina said the company’s long history is closely tied to its approach to craftsmanship and identity, which continues to resonate beyond Australia.
“Akubra is genuinely Australian – its craftsmanship and its character. That authenticity is what has defined our brand for 150 years, and what will resonate with new markets and the next generation of Australians,” she said.
Planet Lighting director Mia Iggulden said participation in the trade mission offers an opportunity to showcase Australian manufacturing capabilities and explore new international connections.
“Our products are made in Australia and exported to the world, so our business model has evolved and adapted to changes in the market for more than 100 years,” she said.
“Being part of the NSW Trade Mission is a wonderful opportunity to show off what we’re currently achieving on a local and a global scale and discuss potential opportunities going forward.”
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