SMALL businesses from Cairns to Coolangatta may be eligible for State Government assistance to display their product overseas.

Funding is now available to help small biotechnology and information and communications technology (ICT) companies attend international trade shows. The International Trade Show Assistance Program (ITSAP) began in 2000 and provides grants up to $5000 to successful applicants.

"ITSAP has helped 109 companies to generate immediate export sales of more than $5.6 million. These companies have projected more than $310 million in future exports and more than 450 new jobs," says acting State Development Minister Desley Boyle.

Mr Boyle encouraged eligible ICT or biotech companies - which have identified an export market, have a product or service that has export potential and are 'export ready' - to take the next step.