Fourteen Victorian businesses have taken centre stage for championing homegrown products and services on a global stage at the 44^th Governor of Victoria Export Awards (GOVEAs).

Minister for Economic Growth Tim Pallas joined award patron, Governor of Victoria, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC to celebrate the winners who represent key industries including agribusiness, food and beverages, resources and energy, manufacturing, advanced materials, sustainability and professional services.

Victorian renewable energy solutions company, Sunpower Renewables – which manufactures state-of-the-art, simple to use and lightweight portable lithium solar generators – won the sustainability and green economy award and was named Victorian Exporter of the Year.

Sunpower Renewables exports its innovative products to a diverse range of markets including the Pacific Islands, Singapore, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, South Africa, Kenya, North America, Canada, the UK, France and Spain.

HealthGuard chief executive Victoria Harvey received the Global Victoria Women’s Award for her leadership and efforts that have created new opportunities and enhanced the biotech solutions company’s brand in key markets such as Europe, the United States and Asia.

Seizing an opportunity amidst the pandemic, she collaborated with Melbourne University and the Peter Doherty Institute of Immunity and Infection to conduct testing on textile treatments against the live human strain of SARS-CoV-2, yielding outstanding results that were globally recognised.

Pacific Sea Urchin Australia won the award for agribusiness, food and beverages, Global Indigenous Management for creative industries, Lash Therapy Australia for e-commerce and Melbourne Polytechnic for international education and training, while Booby Tape International was named top emerging exporter.

Other winners were SDI Limited (international health), AW Bell (manufacturing and advanced materials), Duratray International (resources and energy), INCITIAS (professional services), Care Essentials (regional), Molecule2Market (small business), Sunpower Renewables (sustainability/green economy) and Chemwatch (advanced technologies).

Exports play a critical role in Victoria’s economic prosperity and growth by contributing more than $53 billion in annual earnings and helping to support more than 330,000 jobs ranging from food and agribusiness to technology, health and international education.

For more details visit global.vic.gov.au/govea.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Economic Growth Tim Pallas

“Our GOVEA winners supply products and services of the highest quality to all corners of the globe – and they are part of an export network that underpins thousands of Victorian jobs.”

“Victoria’s natural innovation bent is complemented by a thriving research and development sector. The results are world-beating companies that do us all proud.”