Media release

Australian Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile

August 17, 1999

More Trade Barriers Go

Trade Minister, Mark Vaile, today welcomed the significant gains delivered by the Federal Government's Market Development Task Force.

"The Market Development Task Force (MDTF), set up by this Government in August 1996, is driving bilateral trade efforts in 27 target export markets. On its third birthday it continues to score export wins for Australian business," Mr Vaile said.

"Against the background of the economic downturn in our region it's particularly pleasing that we've been able to make breakthroughs that will help more Australian exports to enter these markets.

"Access will be doubly important as the regional recovery gets under way. It's good to know, for example, that as consumer spending picks up in Japan, we have four varieties of Australian 'easy-peel' citrus approved for entry and we can also now export Tasmanian Fuji apples to what is a very big, affluent market. And in Vietnam, we have supported an Australian company that's now been awarded a joint venture general insurance licence. This is the first to an Australian company in that market.

Mr Vaile said, this year the Task Force had also helped deliver:

• In Hong Kong, $182 million worth of railway related contracts to Australian companies,
• In Thailand, assistance to Australian firms which have secured orders to supply automotive components worth $18 million.
• In the Philippines, representations contributing to the elimination of a tariff differential between ASEAN and non-ASEAN countries, helping Australian producers secure a supply contract for more than $30 million worth of sugar.
• Negotiation of a phytosanitary (plant health) agreement that led to exports of canola to Mexico worth $49 million in the first half of 1999, after initial sales of $9 million in '98.
• In Poland, representations contributing to a waiver for 1999 of the 30% tariff on greasy and scoured wool imports of 24 microns and coarser, enabling Australian exporters maintain access to potentially significant markets.

"During the next six months the Task Force will be pursuing a range of access issues across markets in North-east Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and South America," Mr Vaile said.