Media release
Australian Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile
Tuesday, October 31, 2000
Boom in Exports of Motor Vehicles Continues
Trade Minister, Mark Vaile, today said exports of motor vehicles had grown by 44 per cent to $1.9 billion during 1999-2000, building on the 32 per cent rise recorded in 1998-99 and contributing to strong growth in manufactured exports.
"The growth in the value of motor vehicle exports during 1999-2000, was almost entirely due to increased volumes. Exports of motor vehicles have now increased by an average 29 per cent per year since the Coalition came to office," Mr Vaile said.
The major markets for motor vehicles in 1999-2000 were Saudi Arabia ($702 million, up 108 per cent), NZ ($358 million, up 22 per cent) and the United States ($267 million, up 17 per cent). Motor vehicles are now Australia's 12th largest export item.
"Both crude and refined petroleum were other fast growing export items last year."
Mr Vaile was commenting while releasing the Trade Department's publication Composition of Trade, Australia 1999-2000.
"The total value of our exports grew by 13 per cent in 1999-2000. In volume terms our exports grew by 11 per cent," Mr Vaile said.
"Japan continued to be our largest single market, accounting for 19 per cent our total exports, valued at $18.8 billion. The US was our second largest export market."
Composition of Trade, 1999-2000provides a comprehensive analysis of the growth, direction and commodity breakdown of Australia's merchandise trade in recent years.
Individual reports detail composition of trade with all of our major trading partners and regions over the past five years. The edition also contains an article analysing the price and volume movements of Australia's 15 strongest growing export commodities.
Copies can be purchased ($43.00) from the Market Information and Analysis Unit on Ph (02) 6261 3114 or Fax (02) 6261 3321.
The main features and analysis from the report will be placed on the Department's website at www.dfat.gov.au/publications/statistics/html. Orders for the publication can also be placed at this site.
Copies of the report: 02 6261 3114
Local Date: Thursday, 20-Nov-2008 21:42:40 EST