28 August 1995

>McMULLAN TO VISIT SOUTH EAST ASIA

Important engagements include the meeting of AFTA (ASEAN Free Trade Area) and CER (Closer Economic Relations - Australia and New Zealand) Trade Ministers in Brunei on 9 September; meetings on bilateral and regional issues with senior Government Ministers in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam; and a high-level business mission to Vietnam.

In Singapore, Senator McMullan will meet with Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Yeo Cheow Tong, and Deputy Prime Ministers, Brigadier-General Lee Hsien Loong and Dr Tony Tan.

Senator McMullan said today the Singapore meetings will provide the opportunity to discuss the bilateral trade relationship and other trade policy issues.

"I also look forward to advancing the joint Prime Ministerial strategic business linkages initiative, following the launch of the Singapore Australian Business Alliance Forum on 4 August in Sydney," Senator McMullan said.

In Malaysia, Senator McMullan will meet with Minister for International Trade and Industry, Dato' Seri Rafidah Aziz, the Minister for Energy Telecommunications and Posts, Datuk Leo Moggie, and other Ministers.

The visit to Malaysia will be the first by an Australian Minister since the Mahathir Government's victory in the April elections.

"At over $3 billion, our total two-way trade with Malaysia is strong," Senator McMullan said.

"This visit is important in the context of strengthening the commercial relationship with Malaysia.

"In particular, the opening of a new Austrade office in Penang is testament to the strong Australian business interest in Malaysia.

"I will be discussing with the Malaysian Ministers a wide range of bilateral market access issues, as well as international and regional issues, including APEC and the pursuit of closer economic ties between the ASEAN economies and Australia."

Senator McMullan's visit to Thailand will be the first by an Australian Minister since a new Thai Government was elected in early July. He will be meeting newly appointed Ministers with key international economic and trade portfolios, including Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Amnuay Viravan, Finance Minister, Dr Surakiart Sathirathai, and Commerce Minister, Mr Shucheep Hansaward.

Senator McMullan will lead a delegation of 19 senior Australian telecommunications, IT, energy, mining, construction and food business people to Vietnam to attend the fourth meeting of the Australia Vietnam Joint Trade and Economic Cooperation Committee.

"Australia is among the leading foreign investors in Vietnam - with trade between the two countries increasing to $403 million in 1994," Senator McMullan said.

"The delegation will seek to strengthen trade and investment ties, and will examine the state of the bilateral commercial relationship."

Senator McMullan said the focus of his visit to Brunei is the AFTA-CER meeting with ASEAN and New Zealand trade ministers on 9 September.

"This is the first such meeting, and it is an important recognition of Australia's economic integration with the ASEAN region.

"I am confident the AFTA-CER meeting will develop further practical measures to facilitate trade between ASEAN countries and Australia," Senator McMullan said.

Senator McMullan will visit Singapore from 30 August-1 September, Malaysia from 1-3 September, Thailand from 3-5 September, Vietnam from 5-8 September, and Brunei from 8-10 September.

Further information: John Flannery, (06) 277 7420

Full details of visit are attached.

PROGRAM DETAILS

Singapore

In addition to meetings with Ministerial counterparts, Senator McMullan will work on the Singapore Australia Business Alliance Forum (SABAF). SABAF is designed to bring together senior business people from Australia and Singapore to open up joint opportunities for new private developments in the two countries and in third country markets.

Through the talents and energy of business leaders in Australia and Singapore, SABAF should come up with concrete proposals where both countries can cooperate to capture emerging opportunities in markets such as China, Vietnam, India and Indonesia.

Senator McMullan will also make a major address on APEC to the Foreign Correspondents Association.

Malaysia

Senator McMullan's discussions on strengthening commercial relations will be enhanced by the official opening of the new Australian International Education Foundation (AIEF) in Kuala Lumpur and the new Austrade office in Penang.

Thailand

By making early contact with key members of the new Thai Government, Senator McMullan will be able to promote Australia as a source of high tech products and sophisticated services and encourage further market liberalisation.

Vietnam

Senator McMullan's visit to Vietnam is particularly timely as Vietnam rapidly integrates with the region following the recent normalisation of its relations with the US and its accession to ASEAN.

Senator McMullan will meet a range of ministers, including Minister for Trade, Le Van Triet. He will also officially open the Australian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, which commenced operation in November 1994 to provide support and assistance for the increasing number of Australian business and tourists in Southern Vietnam.

Other events include opening of a new Telstra office and agreement signing ceremonies for QUF Milk Products, Goodman Fielder, Yarrabee Coal and the Fred Hollows Foundation.

Brunei

An important objective of Senator McMullan's visit is to strengthen bilateral commercial ties and enhance Bruneian perceptions of Australia as a trading partner. In launching the Brunei Australia Business Council, Senator McMullan will stress the importance Australia attaches to bilateral commercial relations with Brunei at both the government and private sector level.

BUSINESS DELEGATION PARTICIPANTS

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND IT

Mr Charles Zoi, Group Managing Director, Telstra

Mr Le Dac Thuan, Managing Director, Vanoco Pty Ltd

Mr Barry Nicholas, Executive, Operations, Stanilite Electronics Pty Ltd

Mr John B Ness, Managing Director, MITEC Ltd

ENERGY SECTOR

Mr Michael A Baugh, President and General Manager Australia/Asia, BHP Petroleum

Mr A Gillespie, Chief Executive, Sydney Electricity

Mr Alex Walker, Chief Executive, Prospect Electricity

Mr Rod Touzel, Managing Director, SECV International

MINING SECTOR

Mr Theo Van Leeuwen, General Manager Exploration SE Asia, CRA Exploration Pty Ltd

Mr Alan Taylor, Managing Director, Bulk Materials (Coal Handling) Pty Ltd

Mr Henry Lam, Managing Director, Vinavest Pty Ltd

Mr Ian McCauley, Chairman, Yarrabee Coal Company Pty Ltd

Mr Malcolm MacPherson, Managing Director, Westralian Sands

CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS

Mr Brian de Luca, General Manager/Director, Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

Mr Jack Boniface, Chief Executive Officer, SMEC Ltd

Ms Huong Nguyen, Chief Accountant and Coordinator, VABIS

FOOD AND FOOD PROCESSING SECTOR

Dr David Rutledge, Deputy Chief Executive, Qld Sugar Corp

Mr Grahame Tonkin, Managing Director, Australian Dairy Corp

Mr Alan McCray, Group Manager, QUF Industries Ltd