MEDIA RELEASE THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER FOR TRADE

971109a

11 November 1997

MARKET DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE ACHIEVES SUCCESS IN KEY MARKETS

"A Federal Government trade initiative, the Market Development Task Force, has made significant progress in opening up new opportunities which will deliver substantial benefits for Australian business," the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Tim Fischer, said today.

"The Task Force, which is chaired by the Secretary of my Department, Philip Flood, has been coordinating an effort across the major trade-related portfolios and our overseas posts aimed at achieving outcomes in 25 of our major and emerging markets," he said.

"Just in the past six months in the Japanese market, we've achieved a lowering of sugar tariffs, had rice tender conditions changed to suit Australian growers, and four varieties of Australian citrus will now be trialed in Japan. In addition, food promotion efforts assisted by Austrade in Japan have yielded sales of over A$20 million," Mr Fischer said.

"Also, in the area of information technology, exporters targeting the European market through Germany's CeBIT exhibition have secured up to $200 million in orders. In Singapore, Australian building products and IT exporters have gained a higher profile and increased sales (A$8 million and A$50 million, respectively) following an on-the-ground promotional blitz. Over the same period, German companies have invested almost a quarter of a billion dollars and created hundreds of new jobs in Australian services industries, particularly health care and funds management.

"Other gains include Thai tariff reductions for certain Australian dairy products; strengthened food exports (A$43 million) following promotions in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Indonesia; and increased building materials sales (A$26 million) to Hong Kong and the ROK. The Australian Government has also assisted Australian financial and legal firms to secure operating licences in China and Thailand.

"While the full outcomes from the Task Force will be reported in my annual Trade Outcomes and Objectives Statement to Parliament in the first session of 1998, it is clear that initial results have facilitated significant export sales by Australian firms.

"These results represent an outstanding cooperative effort by Australian industry, government agencies and our overseas Posts.

"Through hard work and commitment, we've achieved really positive results for Australian companies over the past six to 12 months. We've developed a very successful formula, and we'll be pressing ahead for more good results over the coming year," Mr Fischer said.

The Market Development Task Force was established by the Government in August 1996, with the aim of focusing market access, market development and trade promotion efforts on realisable outcomes. It targets 25 markets, chosen for either their existing importance to Australia or their potential.

The Task Force is chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and includes core representation from Austrade, the Department of Industry, Science and Technology, and the Department of Primary Industries and Energy.

A network of case officers, in Canberra and at overseas posts, pursues individual objectives in consultation with Australian industry. Objectives are reviewed every six months to produce a rolling program of activity.

For further information:
David Kelly 02 6277 7420 or 018 691 178 (Ministerial)
Tony Melville / Kirk Coningham (02) 6261 1555 (DFAT)

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