Trade Minister, Mark Vaile, has welcomed the decision last week to admit Jordan as a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). "Jordan's membership of the WTO will guarantee better market access conditions for Australian exporters to this important Middle East market," Mr Vaile said. "This is a plus for Australia and demonstrates how we are able to use the WTO to break down trade barriers." Mr Vaile said Jordan would guarantee duty-free or low tariff access for a range of exports including live sheep and cattle, beef, butter, cheese, wheat, cotton, minerals, medicines, plastics, iron and steel, telecommunications equipment and agricultural machinery. In addition, tariffs would be reduced on a number of other important products including fruit and vegetables, processed foods, seafood, motor vehicles and parts, and industrial equipment. Mr Vaile said there had also been some important breakthroughs in the area of non-tariff barriers. "Jordan's import approval system, quarantine arrangements, and food inspection and testing requirements will be streamlined and made less costly. The ban on the industrial use of milk powder will also be lifted which should provide increased opportunities for our dairy industry. Exporters of meat and live sheep will benefit from reforms to price controls and domestic tax arrangements. Jordan will also enter into commitments that will preclude increased subsidies in the agricultural sector". "The Australian services sector will also benefit significantly from the accession deal. Market access commitments have been made in a range of sectors including telecommunications, financial services, transport, and legal services. This will include removal of the fifty per cent equity cap in almost every service sector, as well as the liberalisation of entry provisions for business visitors," Mr Vaile said. "I warmly welcome Jordan's admission to the WTO, and I'm looking forward to Australia working with Jordan within the WTO to secure further market access gains on a broad scale," Mr Vaile said. |
|||||||||
|
|||||||||