Growing Indigenous Businesses Tender

Project No.

CTI_03_2026S
Project Title


Growing Indigenous Businesses through Trade (GRIT) Virtual Roundtable Series
Project Status

Project in Implementation
Fund Account

Self-Funded
Project Year

2026
Sponsoring Forum

Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI)
Topics

Green Economy; Infrastructure; Trade Facilitation; Trade Liberalization
Committee

Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI)
Other Fora Involved

Other Non-APEC Stakeholders Involved


Proposing Economy(ies)

Australia
Co-Sponsoring Economies

Chile; New Zealand; Peru; Philippines; Chinese Taipei
Expected Start Date


01/08/2026
Expected Completion Date

30/11/2027
Project Proponent Name 1

Katherine Vouzas
Job Title 1

Assistant Director, APEC Governance and Reform Section
Organization 1

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Telephone 1

Not Applicable
Email 1

Not Applicable
Project Proponent Name 2

Not Applicable
Job Title 2

Not Applicable
Organization 2

Not Applicable
Telephone 2

Not Applicable
Email 2

Not Applicable
Declaration

Katherine Vouzas
Project Cost (US$)

$0.00
Project Summary

Building on the success of the APEC Growing Indigenous Businesses through Trade (GRIT) program, this series of virtual roundtable series seeks to provide targeted follow-up and capacity building support to help address persistent challenges facing Indigenous-led businesses in translating their strong value proposition into sustainable export outcomes. These centre on (a) selecting appropriate market-entry methods; (b) familiarising international stakeholders, including customers and buyers, about the cultural, environmental, health and community benefits often embedded in Indigenous products and services; (c) protecting Indigenous cultural IP in international markets; (d) understanding practical e commerce pathways for Indigenous brands and (e) supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs to prepare effectively for trade missions to support market entry.

A series of virtual roundtables will be held online throughout 2026/27 targeting Indigenous entrepreneurs and interested government representatives across regional cohorts in APEC to share regionally relevant content and support the internationalisation of Indigenous businesses.