Australia-Kuwait Joint Ministerial Commission

The Minister for Trade, Senator Bob McMullan and the Kuwaiti Minister for Commerce and Industry, HE Hilal Mushari Al-Mutairi, will host the inaugural meeting of the Australia- Kuwait Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Sydney on Monday 30 October.

Senator McMullan said today that, with imports from Australia approaching $85 million in 1994, Kuwait ranks as Australia's third largest market in the Arabian Peninsula.

"The JMC meeting aims to further develop this important trading relationship," Senator McMullan said.

The Australian delegation to the JMC includes more than 60 business representatives from across the spectrum of Australian industry.

The private sector representatives will add commercial input to the trade policy discussions with the Kuwaitis, and seek opportunities to build commercial contacts.

JMC discussions will centre on two committees:

Agriculture and Environment
and Industries, Technology, Investment, Services, and Cultural Cooperation.

A Memorandum of Understanding on Education Cooperation is also to be signed between the Department of Employment, Education and Training and the Kuwaiti Ministry for Higher Education.

Mr Al-Mutairi, who leads a 17 member delegation, is visiting Australia as a guest of the Australian Government.

Mr Al-Mutairi's visit also covers Western Australia and Victoria for discussions with State Government Ministers and business representatives.

Bob McMullan Minister for Trade - Parliament House, Canberra, ACT 2600; Tel: (06) 277 7420l; Fax: (06) 273 4128 Further information: John Flannery, (06) 277 7420, 0411 414 691