Media release

Australian Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile

23:00, Sunday, October 22, Canberra time

Australia to provide training in trade policy to Egyptian officials

Federal Trade Minister, Mark Vaile, today (Sunday) announced the launch of the AWB (Australian Wheat Board) Trade Policy Program that will see the Australian Government provide training in trade policy to Egyptian officials.

Mr Vaile made the announcement in Cairo when addressing a senior Egyptian and Australian business function hosted by the Egyptian International Economic Forum.

"Australia and Egypt share common interests in seeing reform of global trade, particularly in achieving freer access for our agricultural produce," Mr Vaile said.

"I'm delighted that AWB Limited, a long-time supplier of quality wheat to Egypt, has seen fit to support this training program."

Funded by the Wheat Board, the AWB Trade Policy Program will run over three years providing scholarships to officials of the Ministry of Economy and Foreign Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who will travel to Australia to receive their training.

While in Australia, recipients of the scholarships will also undertake a study tour and gain first hand experience of the operations of AWB Ltd, one of the world's largest grains traders.

"The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will complement the training in Australia with a seminar on the WTO Agriculture Agreement to be held in Cairo in early 2001," Mr Vaile added.

"Australia is proud to be able to assist Egypt with its training needs and I'm sure this program will only serve to strengthen our bonds of friendship and cooperation."

The announcement comes as Mr Vaile concludes a two-day visit to Egypt aimed at boosting bilateral economic relations. Mr Vaile was accompanied by a 12-member business delegation, which explored opportunities to build on Australia's traditional export trade to Egypt, such as wheat, live cattle and dairy products. Australia's two-way trade with Egypt now totals over US$300 million annually.

Local Date: Friday, 21-Nov-2008 02:41:06 EST