Trade Minister, Mark Vaile, has underlined the commercial potential of Romania as an important emerging market in Central Europe. This follows his return to Australia last week from a visit to Romania to open the new Australian Consulate-General and Austrade Office in Bucharest. "The Office represents a new chapter in relations between Australia and Romania," Mr Vaile said. "Romania is already Australia's most important export market in Central Europe and we will be looking to build on our export base valued at $75 million in 1998/99." The new Consulate General is headed by Don Cairns as Consul General and Senior Trade Commissioner. Mr Vaile said Mr Cairns's extensive international business development experience would be of significant benefit to Australian exporters seeking trade opportunities in the region. As part of his visit to Romania, Mr Vaile led an Australian business delegation to a Mixed Commission meeting with his Romanian counterpart, Mr Radu Berceanu, the Minister for Industry and Trade. He also met with President Emil Constantinescu and Prime Minister Radu Vasile. "The business delegation reported favourably on their involvement in the Commission. As well as market access and trade opportunities, we discussed new opportunities emerging from Balkan reconstruction and Romania's closer orientation to the European Union. "The new Austrade office will be able to capitalise on these opportunities by supporting companies wishing to secure business in Romania and partnerships with Romanian companies in the region. "The Office will also provide a full range of consular
services to Australian travellers as well as limited immigration
services to visa applicants."
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