Nearly 400 new businesses in 2009-2010 registered to use the Australian Made, Australian Grown (Amag) logo.

Amag Campaign CEO Ian Harrison said 378 new businesses registered to use the popuar green and gold symbol. A further 1,267 companies renewed their licence to continue branding their products as Australian, taking the total number of registered businesses to 1,645.

Harrison says the campaign continues to grow in size and stature. "For almost 25 years the Amag logo has been helping businesses, consumers, exports and Australia. Ninety-four per cent of consumers recognise it, and perhaps more importantly, 85 per cent trust it over any other country of origin identifier such as flags, maps and pictures of animals. And it can now be found on over 10,000 great Aussie products."

He said the past 12 months had been exceptional for Amag. "Our exciting new media platform, Australian Made Media, was launched at the home of Vegemite and the first Australian Made concept store was opened at Sydney Airport by The Purely Group. We also launched a new website which more easily allows consumers to search for genuine Australian products and find out where to buy them, enter competitions and learn about the benefits of buying local.

"It is tremendous to see more and more businesses branding their products with the Amag logo in order to help the majority of shoppers who have a clear preference for buying locally made and grown goods."

Source: www.farmbusiness.com.au