Getting meals ready for Japan
A growing market sector. Although some aspects of Japan’s economy have come under pressure the food and beverage sector has bucked any negative trends. Over the next five years revenue…
A growing market sector. Although some aspects of Japan’s economy have come under pressure the food and beverage sector has bucked any negative trends. Over the next five years revenue…
At Export Connect, our interns are a vital part of our mission. We aim to develop our business students into the next generation of export leaders by providing essential hands-on…
Taiwan is a global hub in Asia, with a strong, export dependent economy. Traditionally its food and beverage markets have been focused on domestic and Japanese brands, with strong consumer…
Export Connect - Najib Lawand 1) What are some of the most common mistakes that Australian food & beverage makers make when they decide to start exporting? Many suppliers are…
South Korea or the Republic of Korea, is a modern successful high income economy with an emerging financial market, and global reputation as a manufacturer and exporter. Like the rest…
Indonesia is Australia’s nearest neighbour, and our oldest trading partner, with links extending back before European settlement. Going forward, the country’s growing middle class and expanding retail sector make Indonesia…
Singapore may cover a small area, but its population is growing, and its consumers are increasingly demanding high quality healthy food. Australian imports are popular, and the mature and competitive…
In this, part 4 of 4, we look at food trends related to our planet. Read parts one, two, and three here. Packaging, Re-Purposing and Pollution A 360-degree perspective of…
In this, part 3 of 4, we look at food trends related to our spirit of community, compassion and authenticity. Read parts one and two here. Provenance, Plant-Based and Regional…
In this, part 2 of 4, we look at food trends related to our bodies. Read part 1 here. Tailored, Toxin-Free and Friendly Bacteria Global connectivity continues to influence our…
Rajeshwari joined the Export Connect team as a Project Intern during her final semester of a Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance. After graduating with honours, she is now our full-time Market Analyst and Business Manager.
She juggles multiple roles in the business, taking care of our accounting and social media as well as running Export Connect’s market visit programme, during which she has led two market visits covering four countries.
Rajeshwari has a truly international outlook, having studied in Singapore, Dubai, France and Australia during her degree. She’s passionate about sustainable development and community, representing her university at 23 Session of The Youth Assembly held at United Nations and New York University in New York. Her previous roles include supporting the Senior Director of Sales for a Global Technology Consulting firm and account management for an EAP startup.
Oujan is our Business Development and Project Manager, and another successful graduate of the Export Connect Internship Programme. Since joining Export Connect in November 2017, he has liaised with over 50 domestic and international clients and stakeholders to develop market appraisals for the GCC and Asia in addition to capability-building workshops and industry export strategy plans.
Oujan graduated from Macquarie University with a high distinction average in Commerce, majoring in Marketing and International Business. While completing his degree, he also worked as a Marketing Assistant for a prominent preventative healthcare company operating out of NSW and Tasmania, helping to develop creative and informative digital content by collaborating with Exercise Physiologists, Occupational Therapists, and other allied health professionals.
Oujan plays an active role in Export Connect’s internship program; collaborating with 5 universities across the state to recruit, manage and mentor the students as part of their business undergraduate degrees and MBA programs.
Our Director, Najib founded Export Connect in June 2017 in order to use the skills, connections and expertise he acquired over 25 years in the industry to help companies connect with the right buyers and grow. Najib is highly experienced in the export business, having spent a quarter of a century leading Australian food-export businesses and agri-food industry development teams. He is well known for his capabilities in opening up new export markets and has worked extensively in the Middle East, North and South-East Asia.
Since 2010, Najib has worked with NSW Trade and Investment and Food Innovation Australia Ltd (FIAL), collaborating with businesses, governments and industry groups to grow new export market opportunities.
Since June 2017, Najib and the Export Connect team have shown the pressing need for our tailored, evidence-based export services in Australia. We’ve drawn on our extensive export experience and networks and delivered over 180 market reports and assessments for more than 80 clients. However, Export Connect isn’t just about delivering projects – Najib is keen to share his skills and experience to Australian businesses via our workshops and forums, and to the next generation of business leaders via our popular internship programme.