Media Release
1 May 2009
Visit to Strengthen Commercial Links with Italy
Parliamentary Secretary for Trade, Anthony Byrne, said today that this week's visit by the Italian Under-Secretary of State for Economic Development and Foreign Trade, Adolfo Urso, will help further strengthen the trade and investment links between Australia and Italy.
During his visit, Mr Urso is meeting with both government and business officials and is accompanied by one of the largest Italian business delegations to visit Australia, including representatives from a broad range of industry sectors.
On Wednesday, Mr Byrne met with Mr Urso to discuss ways to expand cooperation in efforts to foster deeper economic, industrial and commercial ties.
"Mr Urso and I discussed ways we could work together to promote new trade and investment opportunities, in particular through industry specific missions to both Australia and Italy.
"There are several sectors where we have strong capabilities and where there is significant potential for expanding two-way trade and investment.
"Specific sectors we discussed include renewable, clean and biomass energy solutions, as well as infrastructure, mining, agribusiness, water, broadband, and financial services", said Mr Byrne.
In addition to direct trade and investment issues, Mr Byrne and Mr Urso also discussed ways in which Australia and Italy could collaborate through key international economic forums to push for an early conclusion of the Doha Round, to address structural issues in the international financial system, and to resist the imposition of protectionist policies and mechanisms.
"Mr Urso and I discussed the need for governments around the world to continue to coordinate their responses to the Global Financial Crisis and to avoid steps that would worsen the current situation.
"I reiterated that the Australia Government remains committed to an open international trading and investment environment and that all governments must resist pressures to revert to the protectionist practices of the past.
"As the Minister for Trade, Simon Crean has stated, we need to recognise that international trade is not the cause of the current problems, and needs to be part of the solution", said Mr Byrne.
AB01 1 May 2009