Commerce Minister Michael Mischin said the awards offered local businesses a high level of exposure and valuable opportunities for growth in national and overseas markets.

Mr Mischin said winners of the export categories would automatically become finalists in the 2014 national Australian Export Awards.

“Last year, WA-based tyre management company Otraco International’s stellar overseas expansion won the Minerals and Energy category in both the WA and national awards,” he said.

“Starting with a single operation at Mt Whaleback Mine in Newman in 1972, Otraco’s services are now linked to more than one third of the world’s iron ore production and a fifth of all copper mines. It has sites in Chile, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia and its customer base includes most of the top mining companies in the world.

“Otraco International’s win last year takes the number of WA winners at a national level to 39 over the past 25 years.”

The 2014 Industry and Export Awards cover 15 categories, including agribusiness, marketing and design, minerals and energy, online retail, biotechnology and small business.