As part of our ‘Closing the Gap’ strategies,
the Australian Government continues to place a
strong emphasis on improvements to Indigenous
well-being and participation in the economic growth
and social inclusion enjoyed by other Australians.

For Indigenous Australians living in regional and remote areas of the country, employment opportunities can be somewhat limited. However, these are often the areas where construction, mining and other resource development industries are centred. These industries, along with tourism and pastoral industries can provide significant opportunities for Indigenous employment and business development.

The mining and construction industries also present opportunities for enterprise development. It has been the identification of these opportunities that has led to the concept of an Indigenous Business Services Directory – the ‘Digedi’.

We are pleased to have supported the development of the Digedi. It will allow mine site managers, construction and logistics personnel, and government procurement

managers to easily identify local Indigenous owned or operated businesses to provide the goods and services needed to support their operations.

As well as supporting the local economy, it will help in the development of direct relationships between key managers at the local level. It will also provide an easy way for major companies to buy local and support the communities in which they operate.

The Australian Government hopes this edition is the first of many for this and other regions of Australia, bringing together the resources and construction industries and local Indigenous businesses.

Further information or hard copies can be ordered at digedi@ret.gov.au.